Gas

When and where was poison gas first used by Germany in WWI?

22 April 1915, at the Second Battle of Ypres.

What were the three main types of poison gas?

Chlorine, phosgene and mustard gas

What were the effects of chlorine gas?

Difficulty breathing, burning in the throat and chest pain.

Why was phosgene particularly dangerous?

It initially caused few or no obvious symptoms, meaning soldiers could receive a deadly dose without realising it

Which gas caused the majority of gas-related deaths?

Phosgene

What were the effects of mustard gas?

It caused severe blistering of the skin, airways and lungs and could cause blindness.

Was mustard gas usually highly lethal?

No. Its death rate was relatively low, but it caused severe and debilitating injuries

Why was mustard gas particularly difficult for armies to deal with?

Victims often required long-term and complex medical care.

How was poison gas delivered?

Through gas cylinders released using the wind or through artillery shells

What was a major weakness of wind-dispersed gas?

If the wind changed direction, the gas could blow back onto the attacking army's own soldiers

What was developed to protect soldiers from gas?

Gas masks, which improved throughout the war.

What psychological effect did gas have on soldiers?

It created fear and panic, sometimes causing soldiers to flee their trenches.

Why was poison gas significant in WWI?

It was a terrifying new weapon that caused serious injuries and deaths while also creating widespread fear among soldiers