Chemicals in War. By Lieutenant Colonel Augustin M. Prentiss, C.W.S., U.S.A., with chapters on the Protection of Civil Populations and International Situation by Major G. J. B. Fisher, C.W.S., U.S.A. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1937. 739 pp., $7.50.
Reviewed by Captain E. W. Brown (M.C.), U. S. Navy
The author points out in the preface that the literature of chemical warfare has not kept pace with its development since the late war, particularly in the United States. The previous standard American text of Fries and West, which appeared in 1921, is chiefly narrative in respect to gas warfare activities in the World War. The few other works which nave appeared are limited in scope to certain aspects of the subject.
The purpose of the book is stated as threefold: (1) to trace the development of the art and science of chemical warfare from its beginning in the World War to the present time; (2) to present an American viewpoint in chemical warfare; and (3) to make available to the public an authentic text on a much misrepresented and misunderstood subject of great importance to our national security. The subject is presented from the scientific, military, and industrial viewpoints.
The work is skillfully and comprehensively arranged as follows: Part I, Fundamental Considerations, 102 pages, inclusive of basic principles, technical and tactical requirements, dissemination of chemical agents and military organization for chemical combat. Part II, Chemical Agents, 157 pages, classified as lachrimatory, lung injurant, systemic toxic, vesicant, respiratory irritant, smoke, and incendiary. Part III, Technique and Tactics of Chemical Warfare, 267 pages, with specific application to infantry, cavalry, chemical troops, artillery, and the air corps. Part IV, Defense against Chemical Attack, 89 pages, comprising individual, collective and tactical protection with a chapter on protection of the civil population from aerial attack. Part V, General Considerations, 81 pages, with chapters on the relation of industry to chemical warfare, effectiveness of chemical warfare in the World War and a resume of events affecting the status of chemical warfare under international law and conclusions therefrom. The bibliography is extensive, comprising approximately 670 references in which 16 nations are represented.
A salient feature of Part II is a table presenting the properties of the agents— chemical, physical, and physiological—in such condensed form as to be noted at a glance. Parts I and II supply the fundamental knowledge of basic principles and data necessary for an adequate approach to the technique and chemical tactics of the several arms in combat. The chemical agents, chemical weapons and protection against chemical attack are presented both from the standpoint of World War development and the post-war period of evaluation and research. The conclusions as to present status are comprehensive, clear, and concise.
Although naval chemical warfare is not included within its scope, the work contains basic data of great value in estimating naval possibilities and limitations. The chapter on chemical tactics of the air corps is of especial interest in this respect.
In the authority, breadth, and completeness of its scope, the text is an outstanding contribution, and, it is believed, will take its place as the standard work on chemical warfare in the English language. The book is readable in style, and although adapted to military specialists, it is not too technical for others who may be interested in this new branch of warfare.
The Ship’s Husband. By H. A. Calahan. New York: The Macmillan Co. 1937. $3.00.
Reviewed by Captain Conant Taylor, U. S. Navy (Retired)
This is a book for the boating enthusiast. It deals with methods in the upkeep of yachts, of which many owners are rather ignorant. They let the yard or their “Captains” attend to such details. But, as the author points out, they miss a real understanding of their craft, and so lack a certain amount of appreciation of the sport of sailing. This book will open the eyes of such owners, and at the same time be of interest to those who really know the game. The latter will, as the author predicts in his foreword, disagree violently with many methods which are advocated.
The subject matter is well selected and fairly complete in its scope, but it seems in some cases that there is a disproportion in the space given to some subjects. For instance, wire splicing is gone into in considerable detail, but compass compensation is dismissed as a subject for the compass adjuster. In what little is said regarding the compass, the impression is given that compensating binnacles are not used in small craft, whereas in fact they are very common.
Usually books on this subject presume a knowledge of materials; but in this one we find a considerable discussion of woods, metals, and fabrics as a basis for their care and use.
There are of course many omissions which will be noticed by the old hand. Perhaps this is inevitable in an attempt to write a book of this nature in so small a volume. For example, in the excellent discussion of the care of sails, no mention is made of the very necessary periodic going over for chafed stitching and resewing where needed. A stitch in time here saves not nine, but the whole sail.
The chapter on dry rot is enough to scare any boat owner into staying ashore. The plea for thorough ventilation is certainly well founded; but, given reasonably good ventilation, the danger of any sudden widespread devastation is remote, except possibly in a new boat in which the germ existed before she was finished.
On the whole, this is a welcome treatment of this subject. The old hand will take some of it with a grain of salt, but the novice cannot go far wrong in accepting it all.