German Shell
| Name of Shell | Shell Filling | Nature of Effect |
|---|---|---|
| B-shell [K₁ shell (White B or BM)] | Bromoketone | Lachrymator |
| (Bromomethylethyl ketone) | ||
| Blue Cross | (a) Diphenylchloroarsine | Sternutator |
| (b) Diphenylcyanoarsine | Sternutator | |
| (c) Diphenylchloroarsine, | ||
| Ethyl carbazol | ||
| C-shell (Green Cross) (White C) | Superpalite | Asphyxiant |
| D-shell (White D) | Phosgene | Lethal |
| Green Cross | (a) Superpalite | Asphyxiant |
| (b) Phenylcarbylaminechloride | ||
| Green Cross 1 | Superpalite 65%, | Asphyxiant |
| Chloropicrin 35% | ||
| Superpalite, | ||
| Green Cross 2 | Phosgene, | Asphyxiant |
| Diphenylchloroarsine | ||
| Green Cross 3 | Ethyldichloroarsine, | |
| (Yellow Cross 1) | Methyldibromoarsine, | Asphyxiant |
| Dichloromethyl ether | ||
| K-shell (Yellow) | Chloromethylchloroformate | Asphyxiant |
| (Palite) | ||
| T-shell (Black or green T) | Xylyl bromide, | Lachrymator |
| Bromo ketone | ||
| Yellow Cross | Mustard gas, | Vesicant |
| Diluent (CCl₄, C₆H₅Cl, C₆H₅NO₂) | ||
| Yellow Cross 1 | See Green Cross 3 |
CHAPTER III
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHEMICAL WARFARE
SERVICE
Modern chemical warfare dates from April 22, 1915. Really, however, it may be said to have started somewhat earlier, for Germany undoubtedly had spent several months in perfecting a successful gas cylinder and a method of attack. The Allies, surprised by such a method of warfare, were forced to develop, under pressure, a method of defense, and then, when it was finally decided to retaliate, a method of gas warfare. “Offensive organizations were enrolled in the Engineer Corps of the two armies and trained for the purpose of using poisonous gases; the first operation of this kind was carried out by the British at the battle of Loos in September, 1915.
“Shortly after this the British Army in the field amalgamated all the offensive, defensive, advisory and supply activities connected with gas warfare and formed a ‘Gas Service’ with a Brigadier General as Director. This step was taken almost as a matter of necessity, and because of the continually increasing importance of the use of gas in the war (Auld).”
At once the accumulation of valuable information and experience was started. Later this was very willingly and freely placed at the disposal of American workers. Too much cannot be said about the hearty co-operation of England and France. Without it and the later exchange of information on all matters regarding gas warfare, the progress of gas research in all the allied countries would have been very much retarded.
While many branches of the American Army were engaged in following the progress of the war during 1915-1916, the growing importance of gas warfare was far from being appreciated. When the United States declared war on Germany April 6, 1917, there were a few scattered observations on gas warfare in various offices of the different branches, but there was no attempt at an organized survey of the field, while absolutely no effort had been made by the War Department to inaugurate research in a field that later had 2,000 men alone in pure research work. Equally important was the fact that no branch of the Service had any idea of the practical methods of gas warfare.
The only man who seemed to have the vision and the courage of his convictions was Van H. Manning, Director of the Bureau of Mines. Since the establishment of the Bureau in 1908 it had maintained a staff of investigators studying poisonous and explosive gases in mines, the use of self-contained breathing apparatus for exploring mines filled with noxious gases, the treatment of men overcome by gas, and similar problems. At a conference of the Director of the Bureau with his Division Chiefs, on February 7, 1917, the matter of national preparedness was discussed, and especially the manner in which the Bureau could be of most immediate assistance with its personnel and equipment. On February 8, the Director wrote C. D. Walcott, Chairman of the Military Committee of the National Research Council, pointing out that the Bureau of Mines could immediately assist the Navy and the Army in developing, for naval or military use, special oxygen breathing apparatus similar to that used in mining. He also stated that the Bureau could be of aid in testing types of gas masks used on the fighting lines, and had available testing galleries at the Pittsburgh experiment station and an experienced staff. Dr. Walcott replied on February 12 that he was bringing the matter to the attention of the Military Committee.
A meeting was arranged between the Bureau and the War College, the latter organization being represented by Brigadier General Kuhn and Major L. P. Williamson. At this conference the War Department enthusiastically accepted the offer of the Bureau of Mines and agreed to support the work in every way possible.
The supervision of the research on gases was offered to Dr. G. A. Burrell, for a number of years in charge of the chemical work done by the Bureau in connection with the investigation of mine gases and natural gas. He accepted the offer on April 7, 1917. The smoothness with which the work progressed under his direction and the importance of the results obtained were the result of Colonel Burrell’s great tact, his knowledge of every branch of research under investigation and his imagination and general broad-mindedness.