EFFECTIVE GAS ATTACKS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14635, 19 June 1918, Page 3

EFFECTIVE GAS ATTACKS.

ALLIES IMPROVE O<N GERMAN METHODS. LONDON, April 20. Gas warfare has developed to a very considerable extent since its first use as a surprise weapon by the Germans at the second battle of Ypres. At that time the gas cloud or "wave" was veleaaed from great cylinders of liquid gas embedded m the trenches and discharged by pipes leading through the parapet. This form of attack ha» now been largely discarded, for it depended for effectiveness on the prevailing wind 1 blowing from the right quarter. It soon became apparent that the gas shells was a far; more important weapon than any gas cloud or wave, for ite action is independent of the wind, and a continuous barrage of gas shells can be kept up so that the whole target area is continuously poisoned. ' Though entirely surprised by the first German attack, the British and French quickly devised defensive measures and every soldier was supplied with a gas mask. The box respirator which every Allied soldier now. carries is an absolute protection against all forms of gas, provided it is put on at the first alarm and j is not removed until the danger is past. But it is very difficult to fight hour after hotir without removing the respira* tor. There can 'be. but little speech and a man can neither eat, drinlc nor sPmoke. During a gas attack there must be as little ■unnecessary moving as possible, for violent movements of the body are likely to displace the mask and let a little of the poisoned gas. into the lungs. | Gas' shells are now used largely by both sides for the bombardment of back areas and lines of communication, for the silencing of hostile batteries and as a barrage previous to an infantry attack, when their effect is often supplemented by - eas-wave discharges from trench cylinders. The effect of a gas attack is .-"neb worse and lasts much longer m closed spaces such .ad trenches and dugouts and is more effective m towns and villages than m (the open. There are many kinds of gas now m common use. There* is a purely suffo"nting gas; a tear gas, which attacks the eves ; a sneezing gas. intended to provoke an easier assimilation of ths poison gas which accompanies it, and, lastly, the mustard gas, which is an eye, lung and skin irritant. Gas shells m most cases contain a nvxture designed to produce a double •effect. The shells are fired by guns of all calibre and gas "mines" and "tornedoes" are discharged from trench mortars.

"■^r majority of gas casualties recover quickly, provided they have been only «lii*htly exposed to the fumes before they put their respirators oh.