The great war clean-up
A century after the end of the first world war, the task of disposing of old chemical weapons continues. Michael Freemantle reports
In November 1918, the guns finally fell silent as the armistice came into effect, ending world war one. Chemical weapons had been used for more than three years. The weapons caused immense carnage and suffering but had little impact on the outcome of the war. The end of the conflict marked the beginning of the work to clean up after this wasted but deadly effort. The ongoing process to dispose of the old weapons that remain has proved complex, dangerous and costly. And it will continue for many years to come.