Gas In Ww1, A More Humane Way To Kill The Enemy.

[sandyRoe]

I think I read somewhere that the German who developed the poison gas used on the battlefields of WW1 thought it would be a more humane way to dispatch the enemy than bomb or bullet.
Did they Allied forces use it?

[Zeuhl]

The Germans led the way in using Chlorine, Phosgene and Mustard gas.

The French also used it in large quantities but I think the British commanders were less enthusiastic; partly because they thought it 'cowardly' and 'not cricket' and also because there were notable disasters when we did use it; infamously injuring more British troops than enemy.

[jno]

not only that, the British couldn't get some of their canisters to open, so they were left lying there - and were hit by German shelling, which released the gas.

Phosgene was French, apparently

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_gas_in_World_War_I

[Peter Pedant]

germans used it - developed by Haber of the Haber process

French also did ( chlorine) with disastrous results - wind changed and gassed the froggies oops

It was also used against the Italians at Caporetto I think

I dont think the Brits used it but of course did research - BAL British anti-lewisite springs to mind....as ab antidote

[kevanswerbank]

According to:
http://firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm
the French started it with tear gas but the Germans escalated it's use. Either way, it seems to me that both sides abandoned any moral consideration.

[sandyRoe]

Wasn't there a time when round cannonballs were considered too good for the Turk and square ones were used?

[stuey]

Sandy, I'd love to examine the lands and grooves in the barrels of the cannons from which these cannon-cubes were expelled:)

[sandyRoe]

There must have been some kind of case around the square shrapnel which dropped away once the projectile had left the cannon. I think they also used to shoot chains out of cannons to take down the rigging of enemy ships. Must have used the same type of case.

[sandyRoe]

I think the name for that type of shell is, Sabot. Maybe some former artilleryman will come along and tell us.

[stuey]

Now you mention it, I've read about the chains being used. Going back to the gas; a few months ago there was a feature in BBC Magazine about a noted British cartoonist showing a cartoon of his regarding the German use of gas in WWI. Damned if I can find it though.

[stuey]

...or even remember his name.

[McMouse]

There's a WW1 memorial in Concord Massachusetts showing the names of US "Gas Corps" soldiers who died. It seems the US certainly used it.

[stuey]

Here it is: W Heath Robinso. https://www.google.ca/search?q=W.+Heath+Robinson+cartoons&client=firefox-a&hs=HjO&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=qDziU5rtO9OyyASbyIKgBQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&;biw=1024&bih=639#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=aCpB7tBscGKIyM%253A%3Bqcph5xv_4tcwBM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcomestepbackintime.files.wordpress.com%252F2013%252F03%252Fheath-robinson-huns-using-laughing-gas-the-heath-robinson-trust.jpg%253Fw%253D358%2526h%253D500%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.wired.co.uk%252Fnews%252Farchive%252F2013-07%252F29%252Fheath-robinson-deserves-a-museum%3B358%3B499

[Pragmatist]

Regardless of all the posts here I suggest you visit 'in Flanders Field Museum' in Ypres ..... Listen to Wilfred Owen's post at the appropriate place ....... all questions answered...

[sandyRoe]

His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.