Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-08-15

Hun ingenuity in producing gas with
which to oyerwhelm the enemy has
net always worked out as intended or
wholly to the advantage of those en-
plOying it. In the recent offensive the
Intensive gas shell bombardment with
which the Hun precedes his attacks
has had occasionally unforeseen after
effects upon the Germans themselves.
For the purpose of the offensive the
enemy employs shell containing a
aOuble-purpose chemical, affecting first
the eyes and then the skin. 1t Is
modification of the normal "tear gas"
shell, and the usual distinctive odor Is
very much reduced, so that the gas Is
not so easily detected. Men who suf-
fer from its effects are temporarily
blinded, and close contact with the
fQmes produces an unpleasant skin
irritation. For the average case eight
or ten days hospital treatment is
necessary, but the gas is neither fatal
nor does 1t infiict permanent injuries,
So much for our side of the question.
new weapon Two Eogeo.
From the Hun point of view the
weapon has proved decidedly double
edged. This was especially the case
On the Somme during the last offensive.
The chemical was so concentrated that
1t was markedly less volatile than the
usual gas shell content, and wherever
a shell exploded considerable proper
ton of the charge impregnated the
surrounding ground. The fumes sus-
pended in the air dispersed fairly rap
iGy, but the actual site of the explo-
sion remained virulently poisonous. In
tbe usual way the spot where gas
shell has burst is dangerous Cor tS
hours or SO, but this concentrated
chemical remained active for a much
longer period.
The result was decidedly comic, for
It was evidently one Of the many little
things that the "grosser general stab"
omitted in its calculations. The Hun
With gas shells in the most lavish man.
ner. Every redoubt, support line. ruined
village and road center was plastered
with the stuff. The great assault was
launched and the allied line yielded
ground. The Huns moved up and
occupied it. Their bombardment had
been miles deep; their advance was In
proportion.
Poisoned by Their Own Gas.
Thousands of Hun troops poured
up into the gas-infected area, sat down
for cover In virulently poisoned shell
A1es, billeted themselves in abandoned
hutments sprayed with their own gas
shout six hours later! During the
action our men had been exposed to
the fumes for short period, but the
Huns came and In their ignorance lit
orally stepped themselves in it.
Exhausted men lay down in the dusk
o. dew-wet ground where the stuff had
hurst; they woke later to find the
xcnom actually corrodlng their bodies
thfough their clothes. Forward ma
chine gun units dug emplacements in
knOcent-lOOking shell holes. Two
hours later the men were wandering
about blind and screaming in their
pain and terror.
A day or two Of wet weather seemed
- clear the infected areas; new troops
were marched up, the remnants of the
cid divisions withdrawn and the terror
sf their own gas hushed up and for
gotten. Then came the blazing sun
dKying up the clay and loan, heating
0e earth surface inches deep. The
Intent poison awoke again and for no
apparent reason shelters and dugouts
hat had been safe and habitable for
Ays became deadly as puff adders.
be unsuspecting troops were over
whelmed.
The Huns are sorry that they ever
sprted gas; still sorrier that they i'm.
pEoved 1t. But one can feel no pity
fbr them. The effect on their morale
R'bad, for no man can tell now what
terror Of their own sowing turks in
1e ground that they occupy at the cost
e thousands of lives.