The use of chemistry in the military field was one of the main causes of the high mortality rate that occurred in the battlefields of the First World War. As in other innovations of the time, even scientific research in chemistry made enormous strides with the result that in some countries (such as, for instance, Germany) it was one of the most prominent sectors during the Second Industrial Revolution. On the one hand, experiments and combinations of some elements contributed towards great benefits in everyday life but also led to the discovery of substances harmful to human health. In this regard, at the start of the 20th century some armies began to consider making use of chemistry also as a means of obtaining a real advantage in a war against an adversary who lacked the necessary precautions.
Throughout the years of the First World War the two most common gases were phosgene and yprite(mustard gas). The first gas was invented in 1812 by John Davy, an English chemist who used it at first for the chemical coloring of textiles. It was a compound consisting of chlorine and phosphor that could cause death if inhaled since it would attack the respiratory system. The second gas was discovered half a century later by another English chemist, Samuel Guthrie, who mixed chlorine and sulphur. Also known as mustard gas for its mustard-like odour, yprite would hit the skin directly and create blisters all over the body and, if inhaled, would destroy the respiratory system.
Phosgene was first used in 1915 by the German army who threw these bombs against French troops. A year later it was the turn of the Italians who, on Mount San Michele suffered for the first time a chemical attack by the Austro-Hungarians (29th June 1916). In this case, however, the gas cannisters were not thrown but were opened and in this way created a toxic cloud that was then driven by the wind.
In September 1917 it was the turn of yprite to be used by the Germans on the eastern front during the battle of Riga. A month later in Plezzo, on the Alto Isonzo front, Austro-German forces bombarded the Italian lines with the same bombs and in this way ensured a key advantage in the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo.
Besides these two highly toxic substances, other gases with a lesser impact on the lives of soldiers were also widely used. It was at this time that use was made of tear gas and sneezing gas that had already been used at the end of 1914 on the Franco-German front. Although causing several disorders on bodily organs, their effects were temporary and did not lead to death.
As gas started to be used on the battlefield, armies also tried to prevent their effects by distributing rudimentary anti gas masks to their soldiers. However, unaware of the chemical composition of the substances, many of these masks were not effective. The Italian army (as well as other armies) distributed a mask that was unable to obstruct neither phosgene nor yprite. On the other hand, knowledge of chemistry was so low that soldiers were instructed that, in case they had no masks during a chemical attack, they should put a piece of soaked bread in their mouth (pretending that it would serve as a filter) and then cover their faces with a handkerchief.
