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number of occasions, and information indicates that since the last war German research in chemical warfare methods has been pursued unremittingly.
6.
The following are considered the most likely methods of using gas against this country.
7.
(a)
(b)
Aircraft spray using mustard.
Over protected towns, for reasons of necessity, high spray is likely, To the best of our knowledge the Germans are not as far advanced in this technique
as we are.
Against troops on the march, in open country, particularly against civilian evacuees, low spray attacks are to be expected.
Gas bombs charged mustard, lewisite or phosgene, in conjunction with H.E. and incendiaries.
(c) H.E./Chemical bombs charged D.C.
(a)
Cloud attacks launched a few miles out to sea under cover of darkness and with a favourable wind. The most likely gases in this case are phosgene, and possibly arsine. Difficulty would be experienced in assembling the vessels in position for the release of the gas.
To sum up, on the evidence now available, it cannot be concluded that the use of gas by the Germans is more imminent now than at any period since the beginning of the war. As pointed out above, however, the Germans are well prepared offensively and defensively to initiate chemical warfare whenever it suits them to do so.
Their use of gas would probably depend upon whether or not they considered that we were in a position to retaliate more effectively. In particular, if they had reason to doubt the effectiveness of our preparations for immediate counter-measures, they might well employ gas as the main surprise factor in any attempted invasion of this country.
(signed)
#1
V. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK W.D. STEPHENS (for D.N.I.)
#1
F.G. BEAUMONT-NESBIT
11
A.R. BOYLE
Richmond Terrace, S.W. 1.,
17th October, 1940.
-3-
N.F. HALL
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