The First World War, also known as the Great War, witnessed a scale of devastation and technological advancement in warfare tactics that the world had not seen before. Among the plethora of new weapons and methods introduced, chemical warfare stood out as one of the most controversial and horrifying. Mustard gas, a cytotoxic and vesicant chemical agent, was among the most notorious chemical weapons used.

Origins and Development

Although chemical warfare dates back to ancient times, the modern era’s large-scale use began during World War I. The Germans, seeking a tactical advantage in the stagnant trench warfare, initiated the first major chemical attack in 1915 using chlorine gas. The success of this attack spurred research into more effective and lethal agents, leading to the development of phosgene and, eventually, mustard gas.

Mustard gas, scientifically known as dichloroethyl sulfide, was introduced by the Germans in 1917. Unlike earlier gases, which were primarily asphyxiants, mustard gas caused severe chemical burns. Its name is derived from its distinct smell, similar to mustard or garlic.

Physical Characteristics and Effects

Mustard gas is not particularly fast-acting, nor is it the most lethal of chemical agents. However, it possesses properties that made it a particularly feared weapon. It’s heavier than air, allowing it to settle in the trenches and low-lying areas, making it persistently dangerous for hours or even days. It’s also both colorless and slow to cause symptoms, meaning soldiers might not realize they’ve been exposed until hours later.

When in contact with the skin, mustard gas causes severe chemical burns, leading to large blister formations. If inhaled, it damages the respiratory tract, causing pulmonary edema, potentially leading to pneumonia or death. Moreover, mustard gas is also known to harm the eyes, leading to temporary blindness or long-term eye problems.

Image: Football team of British soldiers with gas masks, Western front, 1916

Tactical Use

The primary objective of mustard gas wasn’t necessarily to kill, but to incapacitate soldiers and overwhelm medical facilities with the wounded. Soldiers exposed to the gas required intensive care, diverting resources and personnel.

Furthermore, the fear of gas attacks had a significant psychological impact on the troops. The mere suspicion of a gas attack could induce panic, potentially disrupting lines and causing chaos.

To deliver the gas to enemy lines, artillery shells filled with mustard gas were employed. Once the shell exploded, it released the agent, which then settled in the desired areas.

Countermeasures

The introduction of mustard gas and other chemical agents prompted rapid development in countermeasures. Gas masks became standard-issue for soldiers on all sides. These masks contained filters that could neutralize the harmful components of most chemical agents. Soldiers were also trained in gas drill procedures, ensuring they could quickly don their masks in the event of an attack.

Additionally, special ointments were developed to neutralize the effects of mustard gas on the skin. After an attack, the affected areas of the battlefield would be cleaned with bleaching agents to reduce the gas’s persistence.

Ethical and Medical Implications

The use of mustard gas, along with other chemical weapons, led to significant ethical debates. These weapons caused immense suffering and were seen by many as a deviation from the accepted “rules” of warfare. After the war, the widespread condemnation of chemical weapons culminated in the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which prohibited the use of chemical and biological weapons in warfare.

Medically, the large number of casualties from mustard gas during the war advanced the understanding of chemical burns and respiratory therapy. The need to treat affected soldiers also spurred developments in plastic surgery and rehabilitation therapies.

Moreover, post-war, researchers discovered that mustard gas affected rapidly dividing cells, leading to the development of nitrogen mustards, which became some of the first chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer.

American portrait painter John Singer Sargent’s 1918 painting Gassed

Legacy

The use of mustard gas in World War I left an indelible mark on the collective memory of the conflict. The images of blinded, burned, and disfigured soldiers became symbolic of the war’s horrors.

The legacy of mustard gas and other chemical weapons from World War I is twofold. On the one hand, their deployment ushered in international agreements aimed at eliminating such weapons from future conflicts. On the other hand, the research and understanding gained from their use led to some advances in medical science.

The introduction of mustard gas in World War I highlighted the lengths to which nations would go to secure victory, while its subsequent ban demonstrated a collective desire to prevent such horrors in the future. Image: Australian gunners of the 55th Siege Battery working during a gas attack, 1917