The Germans first used gas as a weapon in Oct 1914 against
the French at the battle of NEUVE-CHAPEL. It was an "irritant" gas, tear gas,
and was so weak that it went unnoticed by the French. Again in January while
fighting Russians in Poland the Germans used tear gas. This time it was too
cold and again had no effect. However on the 22nd of April 1915, at YPRES
the Germans released chlorine gas across a four mile front. As a result of
the gas and a heavy artillery barrage the French Territorial troops suffered
heavy casualties, broke and ran. In another great blunder of the "Great
War" the Germans were not prepared to exploit the wide break in the French
lines. During May 1918 the Germans used gas in a battle along the DUNJES
RIVER on the eastern front. The battle plan of the Germans had integrated
the gas with the ground assault and it was
successful.
Gas Clouds Drift Across the Front
The British quickly developed their own gas warfare plans and on 25
September 1915 released over 150 tons of chlorine gas at the Battle of LOOZ.
The wind shifted and most of the gas drifted back into the British lines.
With time and experience new delivery techniques (artillery and mortar
shells) were developed by both sides. With the new delivery systems also
came new gases. Phosgene, Chloropicrin, Prussic Acid and in July 1917, the
worst of the lot, Mustard Gas. Mustard Gas was a blister agent which burned
exposed skin on contact, destroyed lung tissue if inhaled and was a
persistent gas that stayed at ground level and seeped into trenches while
remaining active for days and even weeks. On the battlefield it was Mustard
Gas that was most feared and most
dangerous.
Waves of troops advance behind a front of gas.
There can be no question that gas was an effective weapon. Records
indicate that some 800,000 casualties (all combatants) were from gas
attacks. 27% (70,550) of USA casualties were from gas.These figures do not
reflect the side effects of reduced alertness
and fatigue as a result of the need for gas protective equipment nor do they
reflect the morale problems of troops that had been exposed to gas attacks.
As the race to develop more deadly gases continued so did
the race to develop protective gear. Totally unprepared for gas warfare, the
allied forces initially relied on pads of cotton, soaked in chemicals, tied
across nose and mouth as their only protection. Working at a feverish rate,
new and improved masks were developed and fielded by all combatants.
Protection from gas was not just a problem for the troops. Gas protection
was required for horses, dogs and even carrier pigeons. Gas proof shelters
were developed for rest, feeding and aid
stations.
GERMAN MASK CANISTER
FRENCH MASK WITH BACK
CANISTER
CHEMICALLY TREATED CLOTH FOR HORSES
GAS PROOF PIGEON
CAGE
CHEMICALLY TREATED FULL HOOD
ENGLISH/AMERICAN CHEST CANISTER