Aust. soldiers used in gas tests

Press, 21 August 1989, Page 9

Aust. soldiers used in gas tests

NZPA-AAP London A British officer who supervised top-secret mustard gas tests on Australian soldiers in north Queensland during World War II says Canberra continually tried to deny the experiments took place. Major David Sinclair was second in command between 1942 and 1945 at the research station where more than 1009 Australian soldiers were exposed to the gas tests. A report in the London “Sunday Telegraph” said the soldiers, back after seeing action in New Guinea, were asked to volunteer for “a secret mission” at a “gas school.”

Many thought it was only tear gas but few stood down when they learned the true details.

“Being Australian you didn’t let your mates down,” said one volunteer, who is to appear in a film about the tests

called “Keen As Mustard,” to be shown on ABC television later this month. Major Sinclair said from his Aberdeen home in Scotland that he had told volunteers about the experiments and offered them a chance to back out. He said the Australian Government had tried to deny the experiments ever took place. Major Sinclair said there was no evidence to link the mustard gas with permanent disabilities. However, the film shows some of the former volunteers blaming their skin cancers, blood and lung disorders and diseases on the tests and the lack of protective clothing. The film alleges the Australians were misled about the nature of the chemical warfare tests carried out by British and some American doctors.