The Field Training Division of the Gas Defense Service in the United
States was organized in September, 1917, and consisted of Major J. H.
Walton and 45 first lieutenants, all chemists. These men were given a
three months’ military training at the American University. The arrival
of Major (now Colonel) Auld during this time was very helpful, as he
was able to give the Section first-hand knowledge. About 12 of the 45
men wore sent to France, while the remainder, together with British Gas
Officers, were assigned to various Divisions still in training. There
was little idea at that time as to what constituted real gas training.
No one knew how much gas training would be received in France, and
since little was often received due to lack of time, many men went
into action with no idea of what this training really meant. Moreover,
an order that the gas officers should not go to France with their
Divisions had, as was only natural, a discouraging effect upon the men
and upon gas training and discipline generally.
In January, 1918, the gas officers were transferred to the Engineers,
and designated as the 473d Engineers. Later an Army Gas School was
established at Camp Humphreys. Because of the rapidly changing
personnel, owing to overseas assignments, the policy was adopted of
sending specialized gas officers only to Divisional Camps and the
larger training centers. The need of a larger unit and increased
authority was recognized by all intimately associated with the work,
but little was accomplished until the transfer to the Chemical Warfare
Service. Upon the appointment of Brigadier General H. C. Newcomer as
Assistant Director of the Chemical Warfare Service, he was placed in
charge of all military affairs of the Service, and the administrative
officers of the Training Section became his “military assistants.” A
few weeks later the Training Section of the Administration Division,
C.W.S. was formed.
At this time new duties fell to the lot of this Section, among the more
important being:
(1) The organization of gas troops and casual
detachments for overseas duty;
(2) The establishment of a Chemical Warfare Training
Camp;
(3) The procurement and training of officers for
overseas duty.
For this purpose a training camp was established near the Proving
Ground (Camp Kendrick) to hold 1300 officers and men. Line officers
were sent from the larger camps for training, the best of whom might
later be transferred to the Chemical Warfare Service for duty as Gas
Officers.
The work of the Section eventually grew to such proportions that it was
recognized as the Training Division of the Chemical Warfare Service. It
differed from other Divisions in that all administrative routine was
carried on through the offices of the Director, and with the assistance
and co-operation of its various Sections.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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