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Gas Warfare. Gas Warfare:. Aims : Identify the types of gas used during World War One, Examine the effectiveness of gas as a weapon of war. In 1899 nations in Europe signed an agreement making it illegal to use gas as a weapon of war. By the end of World War One both sides had used gas.
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Gas Warfare: Aims: • Identify the types of gas used during World War One, • Examine the effectiveness of gas as a weapon of war.
In 1899 nations in Europe signed an agreement making it illegal to use gas as a weapon of war. • By the end of World War One both sides had used gas. Discussion Do you think that certain weapons such as gas should be banned from warfare, or should countries be allowed to use every weapon available to them?
The Use of Gas The Germans were the first to use gas against the Russians in 1915. That same year chlorine gas was first used by the Germans on the Western Front against British and Canadian soldiers.
During World War One many different types of gases were used. The main types were: • Chlorine Gas • Phosgene Gas • Mustard Gas
Phosgene Gas • Phosgene gas had similar effects as Chlorine Gas but was much more severe. • Phosgene gas did not cause as much coughing which resulted in the victim inhaling more of the poison. • When breathed in, phosgene caused vomiting, severe headache and increased heart rate. • Following this, the gas destroyed the lungs and caused death by internal suffocation.
Chlorine Gas • Chlorine gas was first used by the Germans at Ypres in 1915. • Chlorine gas caused the victim to cough and eventually destroyed the lungs causing a slow and painful death by asphixiation.
Mustard Gas • Mustard gas was colourless and odourless and could take up to 12 hours to take effect. • Mustard gas caused the victims skin to blister and eyes to sting. As well as this, the victim would bleed internally and externally. Eventually the victim would die of suffocation as the gas destroyed the cells in their lungs. • It could take up to 5 weeks for the victim to die.
Protection from Gas Attacks • Victims of the first gas attacks were advised to urinate on handkerchiefs and hold them to their noses to act as a disinfectant to the gas. • As technology advanced, more effective masks were developed to protect the soldiers.
The Effectiveness of Gas • Approximately 90,000 men were killed by gas during World War One and over one million injured or blinded by it. • The effectiveness of gas was hindered by the wind direction. If the wind changed direction you could end of gassing your own troops. This made it potentially unreliable.