Source

#1
New York Tribune April 25, 1915.

The German Army dispersed chlorine gas

over Allied lines at Ypres on 22 April 1915.
North of France, April 24. -- There is no doubt that the action which has
been proceeding about Ypres for a week, and which will probably be known
in history as the second battle of Ypres, is the hardest and hottest which has
yet developed on the extreme Western front. Indeed, no battle of the war has
developed so much action on so concentrated a front. It is the third
desperate attempt of the Germans since this war began to break through the
combined British and Belgian lines and take the all-important City of Calais.

This series of attacks and counterattacks running along the whole line,
developed into that general attack on the British lines with Calais for
objective which the Germans probably had been planning ever since matters
began to come to a deadlock in the Carpathians. The Germans, making full
use of their artillery, launched infantry attacks in their old manner -- close-
locked. As formerly, the British and French slaughtered them heavily with
machine-gun and rifle fire. Then on Thursday the Germans suddenly threw
in that attack its asphyxiating bombs, which will doubtless become famous in
this war. It succeeded in breaking the line of French near Bixschoote,
although not to such an extent as the Germans claim in today's communique.

The nature of the gasses carried by the German asphyxiating shells remain a
mystery. Whatever gas it is, it spreads rapidly and remains close to the
ground. It is believed not to be specially deadly -- one that rather over
powers its victims and puts them hors de combat without killing many. Its
effect at Bixschoote may have been due to panic caused by the novelty of the
device. Its composition and manner of discharge are probably no mystery to
the scientific artillerymen of the Allies. That such devices might be used in
war has been known for a long time, but the positive prohibitions of The
Hague Conference have prevented the more civilized nations of Europe from
going far with experiments in this line.

hors de combat = out of action due to injury or damage

Source: The New York Tribune

© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional
Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School
Source
#2
© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional
Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School
Source
#3a

One category, lachrymators, was composed of tear gases

such as xylyl bromide, an agent that primarily affected
the eyes but in large concentrations could also damage
the respiratory system. Asphyxiators, such as phosgene,
chloropicrin, and chlorine, were in another category.
These gases caused fluid to enter the lungs, thereby
preventing oxygen from reaching the blood. Toxic gases,
yet another category, passed through the lungs to the
blood, preventing the circulation and release of oxygen
throughout the body. Hydrogen cyanide ("Vincennite" to
the French) was one of the least effective toxic agents.
Sternutators, such as diphenylchlorarsine, were a type of
respiratory irritant composed of a very fine dust that
caused sneezing, nausea, and vomiting. Some
sternutators were systemic poisons that had a delayed
toxic effect on the body. The final category held the
greatest casualty producer - a vesicant or blister agent
that, because of its peculiar odor, the British and later
the Americans commonly referred to as "mustard gas."

Vocabulary:
lachrymator: a substance that irritates the eyes and causes tears to flow.
asphyxiator: a substance that deprives one of air.
sternutator: an agent that causes sneezing.
vesicant: tending to cause blistering.
Source: The Leavenworth Papers: Chemical Warfare in World War I:
The American Experience, 1917-1918

© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional

Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School
Source
#3b

"In 1917 the Germans first used mustard

against the Allies at Ypres. This was the only
persistent agent used during World War I and
had effects similar to those produced by a
combination of lachrymatory, asphyxiator, and
systemic poisons. Although called mustard gas,
this chemical was not a gas, but rather a volatile
liquid that, several hours after contact with the
skin, would cause severe burns and blisters. The
introduction of Yellow Cross caught the Allies
completely by surprise. During the first attack,
British infantry saw the gas shells explode, but
were unable to "see, smell or taste any agent, nor
feel any immediate effects." The soldiers
concluded that the Germans were trying to trick
them and did not put on their masks. After
several hours, to the consternation of officers
and medics, the troops began to complain of
pain in their eyes, throats, and lungs. Later,
blisters appeared on the exposed skin of the
British soldiers."

Source: The Leavenworth Papers: Chemical Warfare in World War I:

The American Experience, 1917-1918

© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional

Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School
Source
#4
© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional
Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School
Source
#5

“In the early hours of the 28th Oct. Cpl. Noel was on duty (test
strip). The others were sitting or laying on the duckboards, in
readiness to go out on the lines when required. Word was given
to put gas masks on, as Fritz had mixed gas shells with a
bombardment of high explosives, and then one gas shell arrived
near our door. We all showed signs of being gassed. After a
hectic night my eyes started to close and burn in the corners. I
indulged in a series of bouts of coughing and sickness. On Oct 30
I was told to go and get my eyes dressed and bandaged at the
2nd Brigade. An AMC soldier told me vomiting would help. He
places me with others in a single file and then told us to put our
paws on the chap in front. Like this, blind, we scrambled along
duckboards and stopped at a dressing station then were put on a
horse then we were put on a horse-drawn ambulance, later
changed into a motor ambulance near Ypres. We arrived at 2nd
Canadian Clearing Station, and after being inoculated etc., I was
placed on a stretcher, undressed, washed, eye dressed, had a
terrific headache, was then placed on an ambulance train. Then
my days were a repetition of doctor’s visits, eyes burning pretty
bad, eye dressed twice before dinner, eyes dressed twice before
dinner, eyes dressed before and after tea, indulged in coughing,
restlessness, throughout the night, lost my voice to a whisper
(later I was to receive a letter from Australia. It had been
stamped 4.11.17 and signed “deceased” at the 22nd G.H.B. where
I was still alive)."

Source: The ANZACS: The Classic Account of the Men who gave Birth to a Legend

© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional

Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School
Source
#6
© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional
Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School
Source
#7

“The one wound that terrified all men was to be gassed. The
fear of this silent weapon did almost as much damage as did
the actual gas. They were, to a man, terrified of it. The
physical effects were bronchitis, emphysema, fibrosis of the
lungs, asthma, vertigo, palpitations, pulse rate up to 13,
vomiting, pain after food, streaming, painful eyes and
temporary blindness. Although 16,496 men were gassed, only
323 died before 1920. These mists of death began in France
on 22 April 1915 (before the Australians attacked Gallipoli).
Near Langemarck, in Belgium, the Germans used poison gas
for the first time. ‘The diffusion of asphyxiating or deleterious
gases’ has been outlawed at the pre-war Hague Convention,
but both sides were ready with stocks and a determination to
use it. It was sent over the trenches, one side to the other, at
any time the wind was favourable. Sometimes the gas swept
down as the men went over the mud and into action. Oliver
Hoskin was blinded as he got into No Man’s Land. His
mates rolled in him in a blanket and put him by a bank and
said they’d come back for him, and he lay there in his
blindness hearing them all go away – and then the battle afar
off, and then, nothing. ‘I thought I would never be found.’
But when night fell he heard them calling and he answered.
They had crept out of their lines to bring him in."

Source: The ANZACS: The Classic Account of the Men who gave Birth to a Legend

© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional

Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School
Source
#8

speechless with agony, and behind them in the gas soaked trenches, we

© History with Mr. E - A Social Studies Professional

Specializing in American and World History for late Elementary, Middle, and early High School