Fig. 98.—Navy Smoke Funnel in Operation.
Smoke Knapsack
The smoke knapsack furnishes a portable apparatus for smoke production. The gross weight is about 70 pounds; when in operation it gives a dense white smoke for about 15 minutes. The operation may be intermittent or continuous and the quantity of smoke is sufficient to completely hide one platoon of men in skirmish formation with a 5-mile per hour enfilade wind. The apparatus consists of two steel tanks about 26 inches in height and 6 inches in diameter. From the side of each tank, but near the bottom, extends a short pipe on which is placed a suitable valve. A flexible armored hose connects the valve to a short length of pipe which is equipped with spray nozzle. The cylinders are charged with silicon tetrachloride and ammonia under pressure. The valves may be operated with the left hand, while the sprayer apparatus is held in the right. The release buckles are within easy reach of both hands.
Shell
While many special devices have been developed by means of which the gas troops and infantry are able to set up smoke clouds on short notice, the smoke shell, fired by the artillery, always played an important part in this work. In the same way that a large number of the poison gases were adapted to artillery use, so were most of the smoke producing substances.
As a filler for smoke shell, phosphorus easily ranks first, and is approached only by sulfur trioxide in very humid weather. A rough approximation to the relative values of some of its rivals is given in the following table:
| White phosphorus | 100 |
| Sulfur trioxide | 60-75 |
| Stannic chloride | 40 |
| Titanium chloride | 25-35 |
| Arsenic chloride | 10 |
Comparison of the value of different forms of phosphorus for shell purposes has invariably pointed to the superiority of the white variety. Mixtures of white and red (2 to 1) have also proved effective.
A complete barrage over a front of 200 yards can be established in from 40 seconds to 1 minute and maintained by firing a salvo followed by battery fire of 3 seconds. Four 4.5-inch howitzers could maintain an effective barrage over a front of 1000 yards. The influence of sunshine is very marked, as in moist, cool weather one shell every 15 seconds is sufficient.
