The most dangerous type was the mustard gas, which was extremely fatal. Effectiveness of gas diminished later on in the war as methods of protection were becoming more effective. Poison gas contained chlorine and many other materials. Other protection methods were using cotton pads covered in a solution of bicarbonate of so da or cloths covered in urine. Early on, the gas masks would leak a lot and result in many deaths, but the gas masks improved later on. The gas attacks forced enemies to put gas masks on. Another advantage was that it could be used at any time in trenches even when there is no attack going on. The soldiers would dive into shell holes to protect themselves, but it would drop down into the shell holes and suffocate them because the gas is much heavier than air. The gas attacks had many advantages, but some disadvantages too.Īdvantages: The biggest advantage was that it was really hard to protect yourself from the gas attacks early on in the war and it was a huge element of surprise. It also caused lung damage and b reathing problems and eventually killed. The most well known symptom was blindness. It took days or weeks of suffering until it finally killed. It was a very scary weapon because it didn't kill instantly. They were first used by the French to attack the Germans using a g as that contained xylyl bromide.

They were very dangerous weapons causing over 1 million casualties an d about 100,000 deaths during World War 1, mostly during the beginning stages of the war.

Gas attacks were the most feared weapon in World War 1.

What types of guns were used in ww1