Chemical Warfare
World War I
Chemical weapons became true weapons of mass destruction when they were used in WWI. The German army started the era of modern chemical warfare by launching Chlorine attacks against Belgium and advancing through the french troops. The Allies then late countered with their own chemical warfare. This resulted in 1,300,000 casualties including 91,000 fatalities
 |
| WWII Posters |
American and Great Britain
Developed and planned to use chemicals as a form of warfare.
Germany
Unable to create/import any such chemicals that could be used in a harmful way due to the Treaty of Versailles
Geneva Gas-War Protocol.
44 nations attended the Geneva conference in 1935, but only 38 agreed and 10 nations refused including America, Japan and various South American Nations
During WWI General Amos A Fries developed chemical based weapons and stated that they were “a solution to new wars” and a “blessing in wars” General Amos A Fries was the manager of “chemical Warfare Service” and his opinion was voice during the Hague conference in 1899. America was a prominent and vocal supporter of chemical weapons as being more humane.
During WWII both sides had poisonous shells, but Germany was not allowed to use chemical warfare or use chemicals to prevent the harmful effects of the chemicals from the allies.
First Incident
While in Poland the German army was victim to a mustard gas explosion. While investigating this incident the German High Command discovered that the gas was made in England.
 |
| Chemical Weapon |
Churchill’s Plan
In 1940 Churchill prepared England to use chemicals if Germany dared to attack England. Sir John Dill, Chief of the British Empire General Staff tried to convince Churchill to start to use Chemical Warfare even though Germany lacked Chemical weapons. On June, 30 1940 Churchill order England to start using chemicals he then stated “It is my intention not to wait too long before England shall use chemical weapons.” Many say that this showed his Callous toward the English population.
On April in 1942 Churchill offered Stalin 1,000 tons of mustard gas, but Stalin requested 5,000 tons of Chlorine which he would use to make his own chemical weapons.
 |
| Winston and Stalin |
On May 10 1942 Churchill through the use of propaganda told the English population that Germany was advancing through the use of chemical warfare and that England would start to use chemicals and German cities.
The Gas-Catastrophe in Bari
On December of 1943 American merchant ship John Harvey, 10617 BRT was bombed by the German Luftwaffe and cause the mustard gas that was onboard to explode killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers died and the cause of their death was kept as a cover up. Only the captain and a few crew mates knew about the mustard bomb on board and with their deaths after the bombing many suffered the effects of the mustard gas. Winston Churchill’s medical personnel discovered the cause of the deaths and were ordered to not to tell the reason of death.
 |
| Bari Catastrophe |
The German Scientist Fritz Hahn found in the archives in Washington DC plans showing that the United States intended to use gas-war against Germany. The plan was to take 15 days after the Axis-countries initiated the conflict of bombing. In totally the U.S meant to drop 28 million lbs of poisonous gas over Germany.
The Winston Churchill had brutal and bone chilling plans of starting “a cold blooded war effort to be started and the use of poisonous gas ... When we start this I do want everybody to go for it with all they got. I want sound people to start the planning and not allow any psalm-singer to stop us from what we are about to do." . Churchill also said: "We can bomb the cities along the Rhein and many other cities and towns so hard sprinkled with gas that most of the people will have to have medical care for the rest of their lives. And we will do this by using poisonous gas."
Most Used
Phosphorous Grenade
 |
| White Phosphorous |
Purpose: Set things on fire
Effects: As the Phosphorous bomb exploded pieces of white phosphorous would scattered over a wide area and the particles would explode when exposed to air. If it came into contact with skin it would stick and cause a severe burn thus taking the soldier out of combat
Napalm
A more advance and efficient way of chemical warfare as it came in contact with organic material it would burn for long periods of time.
Purpose: It was used on entrenched soldiers,which caused terror as the soldiers were turn into “human torches”
Effects: Napalm burn for a very long time and cause the demoralization of entrench troops due to the disadvantage that trenches faced with chemicals like Napalm.
Mustard Gas
Mustard gas AKA sulfur Mustard is a chemical that cause burning of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract.
Mustard Gas can be absorbed into the body through inhalation, ingestion or by coming into contact with the body. It causes blisters, redness and itching sensations that results in yell pus-filled blisters.
Curable, but there may be lasting effects such as disfigurement and or a higher risk of other diseases such as cancer.
Chlorine
Chlorine it its natural gas from is very harmful to the human body as it is a respiratory irritant. Inhaling it cause Pulmonary edema, which is a excessive buildup of fluids in the lungs that can lead to breathing difficulties
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKwN21M2eyI
Historylearningsite.co
"Chemical Warfare and World War Two". HistoryLearningSite.co.uk. 2014. Web.
Rense.com/gas.htm
Britannica.com
Chlorine
Mustardgas
Un.org
Icrc
S/O to Google for all the pics
No comments:
Post a Comment