May 4, 1918 - Don Martin learns about coming use of poison gas in war

Don Martin diary entry for Saturday, May 4, 1918:

Had interesting trip. Went first to Ligny[-en-Barrois] where [F.J.] Taylor [U.P.] and I had lunch with the Salvation Army. Then drove – taking two Salvation Army girls who wanted to go to Menil[-sur-Saulx] – through [Commerage]: over a road in plain sight of the Boche, only two kilometers from the German trenches, to Aulneis to see “Machine Gun” (Colonel) Parker [102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Division]. He is a good fighter maybe, but a bit crazy.

Colonel John Henry Parker, 1917

Got home at 6:30. In evening went to the office of the gas experts and saw the newest models of gas masks. Our experts say the war, beginning in a few months, will be fought in gas masks. We are using gas just as effectively as the Huns.

Fine day but showers at night.

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