Civettone
Tech Sergeant
When things were going against the Germans, what would have happened if they had started using chemical weapons?
The scenario I have in mind is using them in Kursk or on the beaches of Normandy or Anzio. I believe it would result in a temporary tactical success as the Allies would not be fully prepared for these defences, especially the Soviets, and be taken by surprise. Possibly the Germans could have used their new nerve agents, but maybe initially conventional gases would suffice.
Of course the Allies had more chemical weapons, could produce more and had the ability to saturate German cities with these bombs. Germany had superior chemical weapons, but believed the Allies had them as well. But let us assume that they find out that the Allies don't have them and also set aside Hitler's (alleged) reluctance to use chems.
My hypothesis is twofold:
-1- on the battlefield - after initial German success - not much would change. Both sides would gas each other but both sides would have been able to withstand these attacks. In fact, it would give Germany a relative advantage, as more chemical weapons also meant less explosive ordnance. They would be hit less hard than with conventional weapons. Chemical weapons are also excellent to stall an enemy attack as they would need to pause and put on gas masks.
-2- on German cities and industries. Similar story. I believe the Allies would have been able to bomb German cities and factories and infrastructure with these chemical weapons, but it would also mean less conventional bombs. Chemical weapons are effective in the sense that they neutralize areas. They can contaminate factories or the access roads towards it in such a way that they cannot be used for days, although somewhat mitigated by German sanitation facilities. Also the German population would have to hide in bunkers much longer. Although again, they did have good ventilation and could have been equipped with gas filters, if they weren't already. But again, similar story: more chemical weapons means less conventional weapons, which means that German factories, cities and industry would suffer less permanent damage. A combination of weapons would be good, but would make it easier for German sanitation services to clean up the chemicals.
Your thoughts on this??
Kris
The scenario I have in mind is using them in Kursk or on the beaches of Normandy or Anzio. I believe it would result in a temporary tactical success as the Allies would not be fully prepared for these defences, especially the Soviets, and be taken by surprise. Possibly the Germans could have used their new nerve agents, but maybe initially conventional gases would suffice.
Of course the Allies had more chemical weapons, could produce more and had the ability to saturate German cities with these bombs. Germany had superior chemical weapons, but believed the Allies had them as well. But let us assume that they find out that the Allies don't have them and also set aside Hitler's (alleged) reluctance to use chems.
My hypothesis is twofold:
-1- on the battlefield - after initial German success - not much would change. Both sides would gas each other but both sides would have been able to withstand these attacks. In fact, it would give Germany a relative advantage, as more chemical weapons also meant less explosive ordnance. They would be hit less hard than with conventional weapons. Chemical weapons are also excellent to stall an enemy attack as they would need to pause and put on gas masks.
-2- on German cities and industries. Similar story. I believe the Allies would have been able to bomb German cities and factories and infrastructure with these chemical weapons, but it would also mean less conventional bombs. Chemical weapons are effective in the sense that they neutralize areas. They can contaminate factories or the access roads towards it in such a way that they cannot be used for days, although somewhat mitigated by German sanitation facilities. Also the German population would have to hide in bunkers much longer. Although again, they did have good ventilation and could have been equipped with gas filters, if they weren't already. But again, similar story: more chemical weapons means less conventional weapons, which means that German factories, cities and industry would suffer less permanent damage. A combination of weapons would be good, but would make it easier for German sanitation services to clean up the chemicals.
Your thoughts on this??
Kris