Chemical weapons: A history from Passchendaele to Syria

Mustard gas horrified the world in 1917 - and its deadly legacy continues today

World war 1 soldiers
Austrian soldiers in the trenches in 1917
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Europe fell silent today to honour the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest battles of World War One and the first in which mustard gas was used effectively as a weapon.

Chemical weapons gained notoriety during the conflict, not only for their lethality but for the manner in which the victims suffered before death.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us