Mustard gas - first used by the Germans in September 1917 - was much more obvious, causing both internal and external blisters within just hours of exposure. Phosgene was particularly potent, impacting on its victims in just 48 hours with very few symptoms to attract the attention of medics. However, the wind did change direction at certain points along the front line, causing 2,000 British casualties and seven fatalities.Įventually, developments in the use of gas as a weapon or “accessory” resulted in both phosgene and mustard gas being deployed. Replicating the use of gas cylinders, the Brits waited for the wind to change course and then released the gas, which drifted across enemy lines and was swiftly followed by a well-timed infantry attack. Britain became the first Allied nation to respond and in September 1915 the newly formed Special Gas Companies attacked the German troops at Loos. Once the chlorine attack had taken place it gave the Allied nations the perfect excuse to retaliate with the same force. The confusion created the perfect opportunity for the Germans to capitalise but they too were so shocked by the success of the chlorine that they failed to follow up its success and advance into the Ypres salient. The impact of the chlorine was devastating, forcing French and Algerian troops to flee in terror. Initially, the French troops believed the gas to be a smoke screen that was being used to disguise the movements of German troops, and as a result the French soldiers were ordered to front line of their trench. The gas had been delivered by pressurised cylinders, which had been dug into the German front line between Steenstraat and Langemarck. The first sign that the gas was deployed was when French sentries noticed a cloud of yellow-green moving towards them at around 17:00 hrs on 22nd April. Poison gas (chlorine) was first used at the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. One way military commanders planned to achieve this was to develop a gas weapon that was so devastating that it would impact not only the front line, but the ability of any other personnel to deal with the crisis that would ensue. Once trench warfare took hold and the war lost its mobility, both sides began looking for other ways to boost their campaigns. The chemical inside the shells prompted large sneezing fits and left them unable to defend themselves. However, Germany had already begun its work on gas and in October 1914, the Germans attacked Neuve Chapelle by firing gas shells at the French. Although just an irritant rather than a deadly weapon, the tear gas did work in preventing Germany from advancing throughout Belgium and parts of France. ![]() In August 1914, France used tear gas grenades containing xylyl bromide on the Germans. However, the first recorded gas attack was actually by the French. Many assume that the first side to use gas during World War One was Germany.
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