The Riddle of the Rhine: Chemical Strategy in Peace and War

audiobook

The Riddle of the Rhine: Chemical Strategy in Peace and War

by Victor Lefebure

EN·~8 hours·14 chapters

Chapters

14 total

"Emphasis" *italics* have a \* mark.

7:09:01

BY

0:10

CHAPTER II-THE GERMAN SURPRISE The First Cloud Gas Attack-The Element of Surprise -Lord Kitchener's Protest-German Preparations— Research-Production-Field Preparations-German Opinion of Results-Germany Prompted by Production Monopoly-Standard Uses for Gas-Gas Shell-Further German Cloud Attacks-Hill 60-Origin of German Gas Shell-Early German Gas Shell-A Successful Experiment-Lachrymators at Loos, 1915-The Flammenwerfer-German Phosgene Clouds-Gas and the Eastern Theatre-Conclusion. 31 - CHAPTER III-THE ALLIED REACTION The Need of Retaliation-First Signs-The Loos Attack, September, 1915-The Somme Battle, 1916—Reasons for British Cloud Gas Success-Our Casualties-Exhausting Preparations for Cloud Attack-The Livens Projector-British Gas Shell-German Gas Shell Development, 1916-Main Features of the Period. 48 - CHAPTER IV-INTENSIVE CHEMICAL WARFARE The Mustard Gas Surprise-Blue Cross-German Emphasis on Gas Shell-The German Projector-German Projector Improvements-Dyes in Gas Shell—German Flame Projectors-Their Origin-Further Flame Development-The 1918 Offensive-Ludendorff's Testimony-Preparations for Assault-Gas Defensive Flank at Armentieres-Fixed Gas Barrage at Kemmel-Percentage of Chemical Shell-Gas Re-Contents

2:56

CHAPTER VI-THE STRUGGLE FOR THE INITIATIVE Meaning of the Chemical Initiative-Controlling Factors—Rapid Manufacture Rapid Identification Essential-Propaganda and Morale-Peculiar Peace-time Danger-War Fluctuations of Initiative-The Tense Protective Struggle-The German Mask-Enforced German Modifications-Shortage of Rubber-Gas Discipline-Summary-New German Attempts-Yellow and Blue Cross-Yellow Cross-Blue Cross-"Particulate" Clouds-Potential Production and Peace. lit

0:42

CHAPTER VIII-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENTS Special Attention justified-Special Value of American Opinion-Early American Activities-Field Activities -Special Difficulties-Edgewood Arsenal-Research—Production-Post-Armistice Developments-Views of General Fries-The Gas Cloud Inescapable-Importance of Smoke-Casualty Percent ages-Short Range Projectors-Vast Expansion in Personnel. 173

1:38

CHAPTER X-LINES OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT The Element of Speculation-Chemical Tactics and Strategy-New War Chemicals—"Camouflage" Chemicals-Functions Hitherto Immune-Chemical Constitution and Physiological Action-Unsolved Prob-

0:30

CHAPTER XI-HUMANE OR INHUMANE? Nature of Gas Casualties-Sargent's Picture-Need for Safeguards. 238 - CHAPTER XII-CHEMICAL WARFARE AND DISARMAMENT The Treaty of Versailles-German Information-Limitation of Armament-Report of the Hartley Mission -New Conceptions in Chemical Disarmament-Limitation Mechanical and Chemical-Tank Disarmament -Chemical Limitation-Research-Production-Mechanical and Chemical Preparations for War-Recent Disarmament Proposals-The Covenant of the League Need for Guarantees-Viscount Grey, "Germany must disarm first'~— Suggested Methods—"Vested Interests"—"Handing Over" Inventions-Neglect of Chemical Disarmament in the Treaty. 242 - CONCLUSION-THE TREATY OF THE FUTURE. 264 - ILLUSTRATIONS

1:02

FACING PAGE TYPICAL GAS SHELL BURSTING. 30 - THE LIVENS PROJECTOR-II 61

0:16

SMOKE BARRAGE. 181

0:06

THE GERMAN SURPRISE

30:10

Description

The book offers a detailed, insider’s look at the rise of chemical warfare in the early twentieth century, tracing how German factories along the Rhine became a decisive factor in both battle and diplomacy. Drawing on the author’s direct service with frontline gas units, liaison work with Allied governments, and post‑armistice inspections of industrial sites, it reveals how the raw materials of dyes and solvents could be swiftly turned into deadly weapons. The narrative also uncovers the silence and misunderstanding that surrounded the Treaty negotiations, showing why the true scale of the chemical threat was often missed.

Beyond the historical record, the work examines the fragile balance between a thriving organic‑chemical industry and the risk of a new arms race. It argues that lasting peace depends on transparent disarmament and a fair redistribution of production capacity, rather than on secret stockpiles that could reignite conflict. Listeners will come away with a clearer picture of how science, industry, and policy intertwined at a pivotal moment in modern warfare.

Collections

Browse all

Details

Language

en

Duration

~8 hours (469K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

1998-04-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

VL

Victor Lefebure

A chemist, soldier, and writer, this early 20th-century author brought unusual firsthand knowledge to his books on chemical warfare and modern conflict. His best-known work, The Riddle of the Rhine, explores how science, industry, and war became tightly linked after World War I.

View all books

You may also like