| Publication |
2008.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The British government demonstrated the political and military nature of
chemical weapons by making crucial decisions about offensive gas use
during World War I: opting to use gas, refraining from escalating the gas war
chemically and also geographically, and rejecting the Red Cross's appeal to
abandon gas. Each decision required weighing the goal of victory (and thus
military necessity) with a desire to maintain Britain's reputation as a
civilized nation, despite common recognition of the brutal nature of the
conflict and of the atrocious character of gas. In the end, Britain successfully
balanced her concerns, shaping chemical warfare in its inaugural
conflict
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