Elements of Trench WarfareWaldron, William H. (William Henry)
History
Elements of Trench Warfare
Waldron, William H. (William Henry)
Intrenchments; Siege warfare
4. The gas used must be heavier than the air, so that it will sift into
the enemy’s trenches as it passes them. It is impracticable to decide
upon any definite hour for launching the gas attack. Everything depends
upon the direction and velocity of the wind. If an hour has been
tentatively designated and the wind changes, the attack will have to be
postponed.
When an assault follows the gas attack the men should wear the smoke
helmets for at least 30 minutes after the dissemination has ceased; in
fact they must not be removed until the order to do so is given by the
officer commanding the attack. You will appreciate that the enemy’s
machine gunners may have better protection than the men in the bays of
the trenches.
[Sidenote: Shell and Grenade Method]
In this method the gas dissemination is effected by means of shells
or bombs being fired into the enemy’s trenches containing the desired
substances which are released and give off irritant fumes on explosion.
The grenades used weigh about 1 pound. They are similar in appearance
to the ordinary tin can grenade. Their effect in a trench will
continue for 20 to 30 minutes. In the attack a large number should be
concentrated in a particular area to produce a large volume of gas.
They are thrown by hand, trench mortar or catapult.
[Sidenote: Defense]
Surprise must be guarded against in every possible way. The direction
of the wind must be continually watched, and when its velocity and
direction are specially favorable the protective measures must be
kept ready for instant use and special observers posted. Previous to
an attack the enemy may remain comparatively quiet for several days.
Noises like the moving of sheet iron may be heard. Preparations may be
observed along the position. When the attack starts a hissing noise is
heard; this latter is one of the indications that may be evident at
night.
[Sidenote: Helmets]
Each man on duty in the trenches is provided with two smoke helmets,
specially devised and constructed so as to absorb the gas and
neutralize its effect, and which if properly cared for and used will
provide complete protection from any substance likely to be used by the
enemy. They are fitted with a valve tube through which to breathe and
with goggles to see through. There are certain rules prescribed for
their care and use.
1. They must not be removed from the protective covering except for
actual use against an attack.
2. When the helmet has been used once it should be replaced by a new
one.
[Sidenote: Dummy Helmets]
Dummy gas helmets will be provided in each organization by which the
men may be practiced in putting them on. The men must be thoroughly
drilled in the methods to be employed.
The following directions accompany the helmets issued to the British
Army. When our helmets are issued it is probable that each will
be accompanied by a complete set of rules for its use and full
instructions for the method of getting into it and for its care and
preservation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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