Gas Warfare

Germany first made use of poisonous and asphyxiating gases on the field of battle. It has become an accepted element in the present war. Every soldier should, therefore, have a knowledge of the various ways in which gas is employed in the attack, as well as the measures to be taken to counteract its effect in the defense.

The two methods of disseminating the gas over the battlefield are by emanation and grenades charged with it.

This method has for its object to create a poisonous or irritant atmosphere. This is accomplished by means of the arsenic and phosphorous gas being forced through tubes in the direction of the enemy or by means of liquefied chlorine, bromide, phosgene and sulphuretted hydrogen gas stored in cylinders under high pressure. To be successful the gas attack must be attended by the following conditions.

1. The weather must be comparatively calm with a wind blowing in the direction of the enemy at about 5 miles an hour. If the wind is too strong the gas will be carried over the enemy's trenches so rapidly that it will not settle in them. If the wind is too light the gas will be carried up into the air and disseminate or may even be blown back into our own trenches, in which case chloride of lime scattered about freely will disperse them.

2. There must be no rain, for that would quickly disseminate the gas and negative the effect.

3. The attack must come as a surprise. If the elements of surprise are missing and the enemy has time to take protective measures, the effect is lost. If the surprise is complete, the enemy trenches should be emptied very quickly.

4. The gas used must be heavier than the air, so that it will sift into the enemy's trenches as it passes them. It is impracticable to decide upon any definite hour for launching the gas attack. Everything depends upon the direction and velocity of the wind. If an hour has been tentatively designated and the wind changes, the attack will have to be postponed.

When an assault follows the gas attack the men should wear the smoke helmets for at least 30 minutes after the dissemination has ceased; in fact they must not be removed until the order to do so is given by the officer commanding the attack. You will appreciate that the enemy's machine gunners may have better protection than the men in the bays of the trenches.

In this method the gas dissemination is effected by means of shells or bombs being fired into the enemy's trenches containing the desired substances which are released and give off irritant fumes on explosion. The grenades used weigh about 1 pound. They are similar in appearance to the ordinary tin can grenade. Their effect in a trench will continue for 20 to 30 minutes. In the attack a large number should be concentrated in a particular area to produce a large volume of gas. They are thrown by hand, trench mortar or catapult.

Surprise must be guarded against in every possible way. The direction of the wind must be continually watched, and when its velocity and direction are specially favorable the protective measures must be kept ready for instant use and special observers posted. Previous to an attack the enemy may remain comparatively quiet for several days. Noises like the moving of sheet iron may be heard. Preparations may be observed along the position. When the attack starts a hissing noise is heard; this latter is one of the indications that may be evident at night.

Each man on duty in the trenches is provided with two smoke helmets, specially devised and constructed so as to absorb the gas and neutralize its effect, and which if properly cared for and used will provide complete protection from any substance likely to be used by the enemy. They are fitted with a valve tube through which to breathe and with goggles to see through. There are certain rules prescribed for their care and use.

1. They must not be removed from the protective covering except for actual use against an attack.

2. When the helmet has been used once it should be replaced by a new one.

Dummy gas helmets will be provided in each organization by which the men may be practiced in putting them on. The men must be thoroughly drilled in the methods to be employed.

The following directions accompany the helmets issued to the British Army. When our helmets are issued it is probable that each will be accompanied by a complete set of rules for its use and full instructions for the method of getting into it and for its care and preservation.

Direction for Use and Care of Tube Helmets

These helmets are the same as the smoke helmet already issued, except that stronger chemicals are added and a tube valve provided through which to breathe out. The tube valve makes the helmet cooler and saves chemicals from being affected by the breath. The wearer cannot breathe in through the tube valve; this is intended for breathing out only.

Remove paper cap from mouthpiece of tube valve. Remove service cap. Pull helmet over head. Adjust so that goggles are over eyes. Tuck in skirt of helmet under coat collar and button coat so as to close in skirt of helmet. Hold the tube lightly in lips or teeth like stem of pipe, so as to be able to breathe in past it and out through it.

Breathe in through mouth and nose, using the air inside the helmet. Breathe out through tube only.

1. Do not remove the helmet from its waterproof case except to use for protection against gas.

2. Never use your tube helmet for practice or drill. Special helmets are kept in each company for instruction only.

Should the goggles become misty during use they can be cleared by rubbing them gently against the forehead.

When lacrimatory gases are used goggles affording mechanical protection may be worn, as these gases are not likely to irritate the lungs, though they sometimes produce sickness.

If a soldier does not possess one of the official pattern respirators, the following measures will be found useful:

1. Wet and wring out any woolen article, such as a stocking or muffler, so as to form a thick pad large enough to cover the nose and mouth, and press firmly over both.

2. Place in a scarf, stocking or handkerchief, a pad of about three handfuls of earth, preferably damp, and tie it firmly over the mouth and nose.

3. A wet cloth pulled down over the eyes will be found useful as additional protection, especially against certain gases other than chlorine or when the gas is too strong for the ordinary respirator.

4. A stocking, wetted with water and soda solution or tea, folded into eight folds and firmly held or tied over the nose.

5. A sock folded fourfold similarly wetted and held or tied. If the sock or comforter has been soaked in soda solution it will still act efficiently when dry, though, if possible, it should be moist. The spare tapes from puttees may be used for tying on the sock.

6. Any loose fabric, such as a sock, sandbag, woolen scarf or comforter, soaked in urine, then wrung out to allow of free breathing and tied tightly over the nose and mouth.

In the absence of any other cloths, the flannel waistbands issued for winter use could be used for this purpose.

Knapsack sprayers are issued for use to clear gases out of the trenches after the cloud has blown over. A man with the sprayer on his back (and wearing his smoke helmet) slowly traverses the trench, working the spray. If this is not done the heavy poisonous gas may linger in the trench for days and be a source of great danger.

If supports or reinforcements enter a trench charged with gas, they should be preceded by a man using a sprayer.

Sprayers are charged with sodium thiosulphate—more commonly known as "hypo"—6 pounds being dissolved in a bucket of water and a handful of ordinary washing soda added.

Garden syringes and buckets may be used if sprayers are not available, but these are not so effective. Sprayers should be charged before they are taken up to the trenches, and should be kept ready for immediate use.

Every officer defending a trench against an enemy gas attack should endeavor to collect information whenever possible, to be sent to headquarters through the usual channels. Particularly valuable is the capture of apparatus used by the enemy either for disseminating gas or for protection against it. If a shell attack is made, unexploded shells or portions of them should be sent through to headquarters at once. The time of day, duration of attack, color, taste or smell of gas used, effect on the eyes, breathing, and all other symptoms should be noted. New gases may be used at any time, and speedy information greatly forwards the adoption of preventive measures.