Gas Warfare in the First World War - an Overrated Weapon - or an Underrated One?
Gas warfare is seen by many as a terror weapon that sets the First World War apart from all other conflicts. Yet as a weapon of destruction gas lagged well behind artillery, and in spite of initial beliefs that it could be a war-winner, in this respect it proved a disappointment for both the Germans and the Allies - but it still had a significant role to play in the Allied victory of 1918.
In this lecture Professor Gary Sheffield, Hon. President of The Western Front Association, looks at why gas gained such a fearsome reputation, during the war and subsequently, and how chemical warfare developed over the course of 1915-18.
Becoming a member of The Western Front Association (WFA) offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for those passionate about the history of the First World War. Here's just three of the benefits we offer:
The WFA regularly makes available webinars which can be viewed 'live' from home. These feature expert speakers talking about a particular aspect of the Great War.
Featured on The WFA's YouTube channel are modern day re-interpretations of the inter-war magazine 'I Was There!' which recount the memories of soldiers who 'were there'.
Explore over 8 million digitized pension records, Medal Index Cards and Ministry of Pension Documents, preserved by the WFA.
