Battle Studies The Second Battle of Ypres 1915

A favourable wind begins to blow

At about 4pm the wind became strong enough for the German gas attack to go ahead. It was blowing from the north at a strength of about two metres per second.

However, two of the German corps commanders were unhappy. General von Kathen, commander of XXIII. Reserve Corps, was unhappy that the attack would now have to take place in broad daylight. General von Hügel believed that his XXVI. Reserve Corps could only succeed in reaching its objective if he had adequate flank protection from XXIII. Reserve Corps during the attack.

The Chief of Staff of the German 4th Army, Major-General Ilse, nevertheless issued the order to proceed with the attack. The order stated that the army commander expected that the XXIII. Reserve Corps and XXVI. Reserve Corps would reach the high ground of Pilckem.

At 4.25pm Oberst Peterson's gas pioneers were given the order to prepare the cylinders for the release the gas at 5.00pm [British time].

Acknowledgements

Der Weltkrieg: Sommer und Herbst 1915, 8. Band

Geschichte des Reserve-Infanterie-Regiments 238

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