5 replies to this topic

[Lazar_Lyusternik]

In 1921, Moroccan Berbers under the charismatic and capable leader of Abd El-Krim, defeated an invading Spanish force numerically superior to them at the Battle of Annual. They then went on the attack, recapturing all lost territory taken by Spain since 1909. After El-Krim makes a strategic error in choosing not capture Mellila, the largest Spanish base in the region, allowing Spain to continue to ship troops in. A stalemate ensues, between the numerically superior but poorly-trained and equipped Spanish and the motivated but poorly-armed Rif fighters. In addition, the population both sides of the border in Morocco supported El-Krim and his forces, allowing for a successful guerilla campaign. In a desperate effort to break the stalemate, Spain used various toxic compounds such as phosgene and mustard gas on population centers and rivers, to demoralize to civilian population. These compounds were delivered via aircraft, marking the first use of airdropped toxic gas in history. After 4 years of stalemate, France intervenes after their colonial outposts, built in disputed territory, are attacked by Rif forces. France contributes tens of thousands of troops, outnumbering Rif forces ten to one. El-Krim, faced with annhilation, surrenders, ending the war. However, the war was unpopular with the public and the military, who were being blamed for the disaster at Annual. This dissent leads directly to a military coup in 1923, leading to the Spanish civil war.

[Lazar_Lyusternik]

Sorry, I probably should expanded a bit more on the aviation aspect of it. I would edit it, but I get an error for saving changes. So, please excuse my double-posting.

In addition to being the first use of toxic gas dropped from planes, it was also one of the first instances of toxic gas being used against civilian population. The Spanish military was specifically instructed to attack population centers, hoping to break the will of sympathetic civilians. The gas-bombs were dropped from Farman F.60 Goliath heavy bomber, shown below, built under licence in Spain. The gases used were purchased from Germany via German chemist Hugo Stoltzenberg, a leading figure in Germany's secret gas development and research, as the treaty of Versailles prohibited Germany from producing any chemical agents

 

[battlelord7]

they use food to power airplanes...nice

[Lazar_Lyusternik]

Er... Mustard gas and mustard we put on hot dogs are two COMPLETELY different things. One is a condiment. The other is a cytotoxin that smells like mustard, hence the name. Nowhere near similar chemically.

Those planes ran on either gasoline or kerosene, I can't remember. Whatever it was, it wasn't food.

[harakiri87]

LOL thats not mustard to eat xD

[zcv45]

 battlelord7, on 28 July 2012 - 12:59 AM, said:

they use food to power airplanes...nice

LOL those are not mustard that you eat.
It's actually harmful to your lungs and skin.it can cause majro blisters liek effects.So yea i don't think you would want any of that.
And the mustard gas is actually a weapon they used on civilians not fuel.
And the gas is much liek air, not as in liquid fuel.