In September 1915, France launched their first massive gas assault using shells filled with carbon disulfide (highly toxic at high concentration, this product rapidly lost its effectiveness once dispersed in the air). German chemists pursued their researches and conceived a new bromine based substance. In May 1915, assaults using phosgene, chlorine and carbon monoxide mixtures caused more than 600 deaths on the Russian front. And providing a WW1 gas mask to every soldier became a priority. Following this date, research and usage of chemical weapons increased from both sides of the front line. The gas cloud intoxicated about 15,000 soldiers and this chemical attack caused more than 1,000 deaths. Over 150 tons of pressured chlorine were released and drifted to Allied trenches. Yet, on April 22nd 1915 in Flanders and particularly in the Ypres area, Germany launched the first large scale gas attack. This German attack failed because of the very cold temperature on the Polish front which stifled gas spreading and effects. The escalation of the chemical war is launched in 1915 with the use on East front of gas shells on January 31th. For its part, Germany used its chemical industry to develop weapons with chlorine. WW1 chemical weaponsįrom the beginning of the First World War, chemical weapons were used: in August 1914, the French army used new grenades filled with tear gas (actually created for the Parisian police). Thus the conception of an efficient WW1 gas mask was extremely important. Despite the signature of the Hague Convention in 18, France, Germany and many other countries did not stop their research and did not give up on using these weapons during the First World War. In the early 20th century, the German Empire chemical industry was very developed and this country quickly became a world leader for chemistry and could swiftly develop the chemical weapons that evolved all along the war. Before WW1 started, France also created a suffocating grenade. Yet, at that time, chemical weapons are also being developed and shells filled with sulfur oxide, picric acid or chlorine were used by headquarters. At the end of 19th century, wars – particularly the Crimean War and the American Civil War – privileged production of artillery weapons such as canons. Historians report that poisons (rye ergot, hellebore root, curare) were used in most of wars and military conflicts that occurred through the ages. Around one and a half million were produced in 1916–1917.Since the antiquity, chemical – and biological – weapons have been used in combat. The PHG Helmet appeared in January 1916 and was similar to the PH Helmet but had a facepiece made of rubber sponge to add protection against tear gas. Around 14 million were made and it remained in service until the end of the war by which time it was relegated to second line use. The PH Helmet (Phenate Hexamine) replaced it in October 1915, and added hexamethylene tetramine, which greatly improved protection against phosgene and added protection against hydrocyanic acid. It had flannel layers of cloth-dipped in sodium phenolate and glycerin and protected against chlorine and phosgene, but not against tear gas. The exhale valve was needed because a double layer of flannel – one treated and one not – was needed because the solution attacked the fabric. It featured two mica eyepieces instead of the single visor of its predecessor, and added an exhale valve fed from a metal tube which the wearer held in his mouth. appeared in July 1915, replacing the simpler Hypo Helmet. The P (or Phenate) Helmet, officially called the Tube Helmet, Rather than having a separate filter for removing the toxic chemicals, they consisted of a gas-permeable hood worn over the head which was treated with chemicals. The P helmet, PH helmet and PHG helmet were early types of gas mask issued by the British Army in the First World War, to protect troops against chlorine, phosgene and tear gases. British Vickers machine gun crew wearing PH-type anti-gas helmets near Ovillers during the Battle of the Somme, July 1916 A World War I British P Helmet c.1915 PH-type helmet in Royal Canadian Regiment Museum.
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