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5. Chemical Warfare Companies •

6.

(a) Three groups (Twelve Companies) are mobilised and

armed with the Livens projector, a weapon

designed for static warfare with a maximum range . of 1,800 yards. Each Company can fire a salvo of 240 rounds.

Some 7,500 complete rounds are avilable for replenishment i.e. sufficient for approximately 3 echelons only. Some 37,500 additional filled Livens drums are available but completion has been, limited by the lack of bursters and charges propelling.

(b) The 5" (mobile) U.P. weapon with which C.W.

Companies will be re-armed is still undergoing trials. It is hoped to re-equip three Companies by mid-July, 1941.

At Appendix 1 is a table shewing present stocks of all Chemical Weapons both empty and filled compared with our estimated requirements as stated to the Ministry of Supply. Certain of these requirements are now under revision.

77. It will be seen that whereas the supply of defensive weapons is adequate, the position regarding Chemical Shell, the U.P. weapon and the Livens drum is by no means satisfactory. We understand. that no steps can be taken to increase during the next 3 months the production of gas shell or U.P. weapons by turning over production capacity from other items.

AIR FORCE.

B

The Royal Air Force offensive gas preparations are designed to permit the employment of gas bombs or gas spray against an attempted invasion of the United Kingdom, or against targets in enemy territory.

In the former case, either bombs or spray may be used, depending upon the tactical situation. In the latter case, gas bombs are considered to be the more suitable weapons.

Weapon Position

9.

Stocks.

(a) If the present bomber forge cr

worried nothing

but gas bobs and sprays it would take 4-5 days of operations to expend our stock, allowing two sorties per operational aircraft per day. If 25% of our bomber effort were devoted to gas the present stock of gas weapons would last from two to three weeks.

subsc

The

sequent position depends upon the rates

of weapon production and charging.

(b) The stock of bombs charged phosgene is small but

improving. The limiting factor at present is the charging rate, which is being maintained at maximum current capacity of 250 per week. Owing to their dangerous character these bombs are held in central storage, but are available for distribution at 36 hours notice.

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