A report from a correspondent on the Picardy front, dated May 6, 1918,
described how the Germans launched a heavy gas attack against the
Americans, sending over within a short period 15,000 shells, containing
chiefly mustard gas. This attack was notable for a new German device,
which is described as follows:
The Germans introduced gas warfare, forcing modern soldiers to
wear gas masks. Now after the use of masks has proved an effective
weapon against gas they are using a new weapon to force the allied
soldiers to take off masks that they may be easily killed by
lethal phosgine and diphosgine gases.
The weapon is nothing more or less than sneezing powder fired
in high explosive shells. This powder percolates through mask
respirators and brings on sneezing spells which lead the men to
take off their masks and to receive the full effect of lethal
gases. It has been used against the Americans. The method in use
is to fire a number of sneezing powder shells just before a gas
attack or to scatter them along among lethal gas shells.
The German now uses his gases in four methods: First, clouds,
which depend on a favorable wind; second, projectors, also
depending on the wind; third, long-range artillery gas shells,
and, fourth, hand grenades. Deadly gases, such as phosgine and
diphosgine, are used in short-range guns, while neutralization
gas, intended only to prevent activities of allied soldiers far
back of the lines, is used at long range. Mustard gas is much used
in this way. The latest perfection in the use of lethal gases is
to fire twelve or more mortars shooting large-calibre shells at
the same time by an electrical arrangement, thus producing great
concentration.