-
Period: to
WWI
-
First use of poison gas (French)
The French in the first month of the war fired tear-gas grenades (xylyl bromide) against the Germans. -
first use of poison gas by the germans
In the capture of Neuve Chapelle the German army fired shells at the French which contained a chemical irritant whose result was to induce a violent fit of sneezing. -
First use of poison gas on eastern front
Tear gas was employed by the Germans for the first time on the Eastern Front. -
The germans new tear gas
The Germans tried again with an improved tear gas concoction at Nieuport against the French. -
First use of deadly poison gas (Germany)
German forces shock Allied soldiers along the western front by firing more than 150 tons of lethal chlorine gas against two French colonial divisions at Ypres, Belgium. -
Primative protection
The types of protection initially handed out to the troops around Ypres following the first use of chlorine were wads of cotton pads that were quickly manufactured and made available. These were dipped in a solution of bicarbonate of soda and held over the face. -
Deaths lower
Deaths from gas became relatively rare thanks to warnings and protection. (gasmasks) -
British gas companies
The companies consisted of about 1400 men and were led by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Foulkes -
First use of deadly Poison gas by the Allies
In the evening some 400 chlorine gas emplacements were established among the British front line around Loos. -
Backfire Gas
At the loos when british gas companies released their chlorine gas the wind changed causeing the british to suffer more casualties than the germans did. -
Phosgene
Phosgene was first used in the battle of the Somme and causedchokeing and coughing, also it could effect soldiers up to 48 hours after inhailed -
First use of mustard gas (Germans)
Germany unveiled an enhanced form of gas weaponry against the Russians at Riga, mustard gas which was contained in artillery shells. -
Poison gas becomes widespread
The use of poison gases at this time had become widespread, particularly on the Western Front. If the war had continued into 1919 both sides had planned on inserting poison gases into 30%-50% of manufactured shells.
