My Sunday Poem … # 15
A painting by John Singer Sargent. ‘Gassed’, 1919. The most terrifying new weapon was gas, whose first major use occured at Ypres, in April 1915, when the Germans released a lethal mist of chlorine that killed, disabled, or panicked hundreds of French and Canadian troops. Gas was used by both sides during the Great War.
One hundred years ago the world was in the grip of the Great War. (1914-1918). The horrors and deprivations of trench warfare visited upon the combatants on both sides were almost without boundary. New weapons technology and almost unlimited manpower led to four years of mass slaughter and misery. The widespread use of chemical warfare was a distinguishing feature of the conflict. . Gases used included chlorine, mustard gas and phosgene. The casualties caused by gas attacks were relatively light when compared to those caused by artillery. But its use and effect were absolutely horrifying …
1951 Club 