Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

History of the Chemical ThreatFig. 4-8. Chemical weapons of the 1920s and 1930s. From left to right: the 75-mm mustard shell; the 4.2-in white phosphorusshell; the M1 30-lb mustard bomb; the Mk II 155-mm mustard shell; the Livens phosgene projectile; and the Mk I portablechemical cylinder.Photograph: Courtesy of Research, Development and Engineering Command Historical Research and Response Team,Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.Fig. 4-9. Aerial spraying of a Chemical Warfare School classwith tear gas during a training event, 1937. Photograph:Courtesy of Research, Development and Engineering CommandHistorical Research and Response Team, AberdeenProving Ground, Maryland.land mine, but held about 11.5 lb of agent. It was designedto be activated either by a vehicle running overit or with an antipersonnel, antitampering fuse. 23In 1961 the corps standardized two new VX projectilesfor artillery. The M121A1 was an improved versionof the earlier sarin round. Each round held about6.5-lb of agent. The M426 8-in sarin or VX projectileheld over 15.5 lb of agent.The early 1960s was the peak of the nerve agentrocket program. The program was first started at theend of World War II to duplicate the German V-2 missilesused against England. The United States eventuallydeveloped both short-range and long-rangerockets. The corps standardized the M55 115-mmrocket in 1960 for short-range tactical support (Figure4-11). Described as the first significant ground capabilityfor the delivery of chemical agents since the 4.2-inchemical mortar, the M55 was loaded with 11 lb ofVX or sarin nerve agent. When fired from the M91121