Chemical troops in the World War.
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GASPIONIERE IM WELTKRIEGE. [Chemical troops in the World War].
At the beginning of the World War there was no chemical armament in the German Army. Not only had there been no technical preparation and research, but there was also lacking a military organization for chemical warfare. Faith in existing armament was so great at this time as to preclude thought of the necessity of chemical aids to combat. Very quickly, however, it was found that entrenched adversaries had excellent protection in the ground against infantry bullets and splinters of bursting shells. It was obviously necessary to develop a means of forcing the enemy into the open.
The first experiments with a 15-cm. gas grenade and the "B-mine" proved unsatisfactory from the _standpoint of mass employment; as it was not believed a sufficient concentration could be laid down to produce a definite tactical effect. It was therefore decided to employ the force of the wind to carry the gas against the enemy's positions, and the 35th Pioneer Regiment was fitted out as a chemical regiment. These were the first chemical warfare troops.
The first gas attack was made on 22 April, 1915, at 6:00 PM at Ypres. Six thousand gas containers, set in batteries of twenty each, were released in a period of five minutes over a four-mile front. A cloud of chlorine gas 600 to 900 yards deep was thus formed, and as a result, 5,000 prisoners and 60 guns were taken.
In the subsequent employment of gas mines, however, some disadvantages of chemical warfare began to be revealed. Great dependence had to be placed upon the weather, and changing wind conditions could make the gas dangerous to the troops releasing it. Also, considerable time was required for the emplacement of mines, which then stood as a threatening danger to friendly troops until they could be released. In many cases it was necessary to wait a week for a suitable opportunity to release the gas.
In 1916, the 35th Pioneer Regiment was augmented by the 36th for employment in chemical warfare. Also, the position of Gas Regiment Inspector was created in GHQ. Developments in materiel quickly followed and, in the spring of 1917, one hundred gas mines were exploded simultaneously, causing great loss among adversaries not yet experienced in gas discipline. A 20-cm. projector, with walls 1-cm. thick, was next developed to throw a thin-walled cylinder containing 12 to 15 liters of gas. This projector was designed to be embedded in the earth and exploded by electricity. Many hundreds could be-placed in batteries of twenty each and discharged simultaneously.
In playing the role of chemical troops throughout the World War, German engineers lived up to their honored traditions, continuing to lead the way in battle.
Source: Periodical Articles—Catalog. Review of Military Literature. March 1935.
Cheers. Raúl M .
GASPIONIERE IM WELTKRIEGE. [Chemical troops in the World War].
At the beginning of the World War there was no chemical armament in the German Army. Not only had there been no technical preparation and research, but there was also lacking a military organization for chemical warfare. Faith in existing armament was so great at this time as to preclude thought of the necessity of chemical aids to combat. Very quickly, however, it was found that entrenched adversaries had excellent protection in the ground against infantry bullets and splinters of bursting shells. It was obviously necessary to develop a means of forcing the enemy into the open.
The first experiments with a 15-cm. gas grenade and the "B-mine" proved unsatisfactory from the _standpoint of mass employment; as it was not believed a sufficient concentration could be laid down to produce a definite tactical effect. It was therefore decided to employ the force of the wind to carry the gas against the enemy's positions, and the 35th Pioneer Regiment was fitted out as a chemical regiment. These were the first chemical warfare troops.
The first gas attack was made on 22 April, 1915, at 6:00 PM at Ypres. Six thousand gas containers, set in batteries of twenty each, were released in a period of five minutes over a four-mile front. A cloud of chlorine gas 600 to 900 yards deep was thus formed, and as a result, 5,000 prisoners and 60 guns were taken.
In the subsequent employment of gas mines, however, some disadvantages of chemical warfare began to be revealed. Great dependence had to be placed upon the weather, and changing wind conditions could make the gas dangerous to the troops releasing it. Also, considerable time was required for the emplacement of mines, which then stood as a threatening danger to friendly troops until they could be released. In many cases it was necessary to wait a week for a suitable opportunity to release the gas.
In 1916, the 35th Pioneer Regiment was augmented by the 36th for employment in chemical warfare. Also, the position of Gas Regiment Inspector was created in GHQ. Developments in materiel quickly followed and, in the spring of 1917, one hundred gas mines were exploded simultaneously, causing great loss among adversaries not yet experienced in gas discipline. A 20-cm. projector, with walls 1-cm. thick, was next developed to throw a thin-walled cylinder containing 12 to 15 liters of gas. This projector was designed to be embedded in the earth and exploded by electricity. Many hundreds could be-placed in batteries of twenty each and discharged simultaneously.
In playing the role of chemical troops throughout the World War, German engineers lived up to their honored traditions, continuing to lead the way in battle.
Source: Periodical Articles—Catalog. Review of Military Literature. March 1935.
Cheers. Raúl M .