Gas: The use of poison gas in the war was first proposed some four [now five] centuries ago by the famous Florentine, Leonardo da Vinci, primarily for sea warfare, for the purpose of suffocating an enemy by discharging the gas when to windward at close quarters. Leonardo also designed a preventive mask in the event of a shift of wind blowing back the poison gas on its users.
Poison gas was first used in the war by the Germans at the Second Battle of Ypres, on April 22nd, 1915, against the Canadians.[1] The British first retailiated in the following September, at the Battle of Loos.
It's use in the war had been barred by the Hague Convention, to which Gemany was a party.[2]
See also Mustard gas and the detailed Wikipedia article Chemical weapons in World War I.
References / notes
- ↑ Chemical weapons were actually used by the French and the Germans before this date, however, on the Western Front, this date could be conisdered as one of the largest attempts at chemical warfare by the Germans in the war so far.
- ↑ Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.102.
Glossary of words and phrases
The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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