Gas and flame in modern warfare

Auld describes the early use of poison gas by the Germans at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915 which marked the beginning of large-scale chemical warfare. He recounts the physical and psychological toll that gas attacks took on soldiers detailing the suffering caused by chlorine phosgene and mustard gas. The author also discusses the evolution of gas masks and other defensive measures developed in response to these new weapons. In addition to gas warfare Auld covers the introduction of flame-throwers which were used to clear trenches and instill fear in the enemy. His work highlights the brutal realities of World War I and the ethical questions surrounding the use of such inhumane weapons making the book a sobering reflection on the horrors of war and the impact of technological advancements in warfare.