World War I (1914-1918). Use of choking smoke in the attacks
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World War I (1914-1918). Use of choking smoke in the attacks
World War I (1914-1918). Use of choking smoke in the attacks on French and British troops. May 1915. Colored engraving
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14319015
© Thaliastock / Mary Evans
Attack Attacker Attacking Bayonet Chemical Choking Enemy Militar Observe Observer Ottoman Suffocating
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative colored engraving captures the chaos and devastation of the First World War battlefield during the May 1915 attack on French and British troops by the Ottoman Empire. The use of choking smoke in warfare had become a terrifying new reality for soldiers on both sides. In this image, we see the attackers advancing with fixed bayonets, their uniforms obscured by the thick, suffocating smoke. The observer in the background, wearing a gas mask, watches intently as the scene unfolds before him. The Ottoman soldiers, some brandishing guns, charge forward, their faces obscured by the gas masks that offered little protection against the irritating and deadly chemicals used in the attack. The smoke, a result of the use of chlorine gas, not only obscured visibility but also caused respiratory problems, making it difficult for soldiers to breathe and fight effectively. The historical significance of this image lies in the fact that the use of chemical weapons marked a new and brutal phase in the war. The Ottoman Empire, allied with Germany, was one of the first to use such weapons against the Allied forces. The attack on French and British troops at Second Ypres in Belgium was a turning point in the war, as it demonstrated the potential devastating impact of chemical weapons on the battlefield. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of war and the sacrifices made by soldiers during the 20th century's first global conflict. The use of choking smoke in the attacks on the Western Front would continue to claim countless lives until the end of the war in 1918.
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