Chemical Warfare in the Middle East

[jony663]

While I know according to the Official History, that the British had chemical weapons prior to the Gaza battles, we're chemical weapons used in the Middle East?

[carlos marighela]

Not to the best of my knowledge, at least during the war itself. The RAF dropped chemical munitions on rebellious Iraqis in the 1920s.

[Hammers]

Somewhere in th murky depths of my memory there's something telling  me there was at least one incident of gas grenades being used in the NWF, probably during the 1919 insurrection. I shall see if I can find the reference.

[Sunray61]

The following information is extracted from the British Official History of the Great War.

Military Operations Egypt & Palestine.  From the Outbreak of War with Germany to June 1917 page 328 notes that 4,000 rounds of 4.5 inch gas shells were brought into the theatre before the Second Battle of Gaza (April 1917).  Page 336 states that during the Second Phase of the British attack the field howitzers were to fire gas shells for the first 40 minutes; then employ high explosive for the remainder of the two hours preliminary bombardment.  The gas shells were directed mainly against enemy artillery positions but were unsuccessful in silencing these batteries.

Military Operations Egypt & Palestine.  From June 1917 to the End of the War. Part I page 65 records that during the Third Battle of Gaza (October-November 1917) "Bombardments of enemy batteries with gas shells were carried out on the 29th, 30th and 31st October, but appear to have had little or no effect."

The low concentration of gas shells and the effect of hot, windy weather appear to have neutralised the effect of the gas.

[carlos marighela]

Interesting. Oddly enough gas munitions were said to have been largely ineffective in North Russia in almost the precise opposite of the conditions in the ME.

[jony663]

Thank you. I saw the first mention of the shells, but ever their use. Also I have never seen mention of them by the Germans and Turks.

The following information is extracted from the British Official History of the Great War.

Military Operations Egypt & Palestine.  From the Outbreak of War with Germany to June 1917 page 328 notes that 4,000 rounds of 4.5 inch gas shells were brought into the theatre before the Second Battle of Gaza (April 1917).  Page 336 states that during the Second Phase of the British attack the field howitzers were to fire gas shells for the first 40 minutes; then employ high explosive for the remainder of the two hours preliminary bombardment.  The gas shells were directed mainly against enemy artillery positions but were unsuccessful in silencing these batteries.

Military Operations Egypt & Palestine.  From June 1917 to the End of the War. Part I page 65 records that during the Third Battle of Gaza (October-November 1917) "Bombardments of enemy batteries with gas shells were carried out on the 29th, 30th and 31st October, but appear to have had little or no effect."