Chemical Warfare

Gas shock was as frequent as shell shock. H. Allen

Chemical warfare was an important aspect of the Great War. The poison gas was among the most feared the weapons used in World War I. The soldiers feared the deadly agony and long-drawn suffering caused by poison gasses. Tear gas grenades were initially used in August 1914 by the French. By October 1914, the Germans had come up with their own variations of gas ammunition. At first, gas was just released from large cylinders and carried by the wind into nearby enemy lines. Later, phosgene and other gases were loaded into artillery shells and shot into enemy trenches.

In January 1915, Germany became the first country to employ the use of lethal poison gasses such as chlorine. The use of chlorine in Ypres caused significant damage to the Allied lines. Phosgene and mustard were much-feared gasses - phosgene for its deceptively delayed effects and mustard gas for the violent blisters and painful scalds it caused the internal and external organs. The Germans used this weapon the most, realizing that enemy soldiers wearing gas masks did not fight as well. All sides used gas frequently by 1918. Its use was a frightening development that caused its victims a great deal of suffering, if not death. It is estimated that about 4 percent of the causalities of World War I can be attributed to poison gas. In the course of the war, some very effective gas masks and protective gear were also fashioned.