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Filename:22tr3340.143
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This document is a captured Iraqi military record.
It is provided in its original form to include Iraqi
classification markings (i.e. Top Secret, Secret, etc.).
These classification markings are NOT U.S. Government markings.
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Chapter Four
Factors that affect the use of toxic chemical agents
General
54. The losses resulting from the use of toxic chemical agents
by well protected and trained troops cannot be compared with the
losses resulting from the use of nuclear weapons on
the same troops. However, their special characteristics may be
invested in certain situations with or without conventional
weapons. The following are the main principles that define the
tactical effects of toxic chemical agents in addition to the main
chracteristics (technical) that were mentioned in Chapters Two
and Three of this manual.
55. The sudden attack
a. The sudden attack element is considered tactically and
strategically one of the most important factors that lead
to reaching the ultimate effect of the toxic chemical agents. Thus,
it is always useful to the first user of this agent. It is
expected for chemical weapons in a general war to be widely spread
all over the battlefield. In the mobilization, the enemy will have
recourse to all kinds of tricks to guarantee the sudden attack. The
best ways to guarantee a sudden attack when
using toxic chemical agents are the following:
One. Use toxic chemical agents at night when the enemy is less likely to be
awake.
Two. Launch a sudden and intensified attack on the troops that did not expect to
be attacked before they can take protective measures such as wearing a
mask.
Three. Use chemical bombs along with highly explosive artillery bombs since they
cannot be identified when they are part of coordinated fire plan.
b. The most important principle to remember when operating the targets with toxic
chemical agents is to send any amount of the agent as soon as possible. When
using non persistent toxic chemical agents, this period must not exceed 15
seconds. It is also required that the chemical ammunition reach the target area
together. The intensity
of the effect depends on the time the defensive troops spend on wearing
protective masks. In turn, this depends on the troops training to use protective
equipment especially protective masks. The time that it takes a well trained
soldier to wear a protective mask is eight seconds during the day and ten seconds
during the night.
c. For the same reason, the wind velocity will have a relatively little effect on the
effectiveness of non persistent chemical agents to cause losses. The chemical
ammunition must be spread in the target area after being divided into the areas
above which the ammunition is to disperse. They do not depend on the wind.
These considerations can also be applied to the attack with persistent liquid
chemical agents.
As to the attack by aircraft spray tanks or bombs that explode in the air, there will
be a time for warning. This gives a sufficient time to wear the protective mask and
clothing.
In general, it is difficult to achieve the surprise factor by throwing agents from the
air. The sudden attack can be achieved if agents are launched by ground weapons
(artillery / missiles)
56. Weapons characteristics
Many ways are used to spread toxic chemical agents in the target area. Details and
characteristics of the most important weapons that were used for this kind of war were
mentioned in Annex C of this manual. In general, these toxic chemical agents may be
spread in the following manners:
a. Ground weapons
The chemical ammunition may be fired in offensives by any ground weapon
within its range, accuracy, and specifications. Sudden concentrations may be
expected to be fired for 30 seconds by using the weapons at their best. If the
objective of using the chemical ammunition is to disturb the enemy's troops, the
attacks may be sporadic and accompanied by very explosive bombs as well as
smoke bombs. As to missiles that contain liquid toxic chemical agents, they may
be detonated in the air at various altitudes which reach more than 150 meters. It is
possible to surprise the enemy in such an attack especially if there are low clouds.
Nevertheless, the results are not
guaranteed because it is difficult to reach a very accurate explosion point on the
target. Therefore, it is impossible to use this type of attack in the front area
especially if supporting an advancing force. It may be used to disturb troops in
the back area. The following ground weapons are used to spread toxic chemical
agents:
One. Artillery
Two. Mortars
Three. Guided missiles and shells
Four. Mines
Five. Hand grenades
b. Air weapons
An aircraft's speed, range and attack level at various altitudes enables it to surprise
the defensive troops. In addition to the aircraft's big capabilities to carry the
ammunition, these characteristics mean that the close support aircraft may play an
important role in attacking the targets with toxic chemical agents. Despite the
danger of the close support aircraft's spray at altitudes of more than 150 meters, it
has an essential obligation when the chemical warfare breaks in each of the back
and front areas. Air weapons may be fired for secondary obligations such as
contaminating a certain area on the ground such as important passages. The firing
process guarantees the intensity of the contamination a lot more than the aircraft
spray system. Chemical bombs may be fired along with very explosive bombs to
hinder rescue and repair operations in the areas.
57. Suitable target
In order to obtain the best results, the target must be studied to take a decision on using
chemical weapons whether separately or along with other weapons in the fire plan. The
following matters are considered very closely related to the issue of an appropriate
estimate of a certain target of a chemical attack:
a. Contents, size, and description of the target and its vicinity to civil areas and our
troops.
b. The required effect (paralysis / losses / disturbance) and whether the chemical
weapons are to be used separately or with other weapons?
c. The enemy's chemical defense capability that depends on the availability of
protective equipment and types, the training level, a good warning system, quick
detection methods etc.
d. The availability and dispersion methods of the appropriate chemical ammunition
and their readiness to operate the target.
e. Advantages and disadvantages of avoiding the destruction of depots and
installations in the target area
58. Coordinating the use of chemical weapons with other weapons
a. Highly explosive weapons
The use of chemical weapons must be very carefully integrated within the attack
plan for any operation. This requires coordinating all weapons that are within the
attack plan to support the operation. The responsibility for this is entrusted to
the headquarters that are responsible for coordinating the attack plan. When using
very explosive weapons against unprepared troops immediately and suddenly
after intensifying the use of chemical weapons (chemical attack), these troops will
suffer big losses incurred from the very explosive weapons during their operation
period by wearing protective equipment. In case the troops were attacked while in
the open air by very explosive weapons, they will certainly have recourse to lying
on the ground and thus be more exposed to the effects of the stable toxic chemical
agents that are on the surface of the ground. The delay in firing the chemical
ammunition to the final stages of an attack plan guarantees a sudden attack.
b. Nuclear weapons
Toxic chemical agents may be used on the nuclear targets' surrounding to detect
the trouble. The enemy's defensive system is considered an appropriate chemical
target. The toxic chemical agent must be delivered after the end of the blast wave
which is caused by the nuclear weapons. When using toxic chemical agents with
nuclear weapons, these agents may be directed against persons who survive the
explosion as well persons who are in vehicles, armored vehicles, and shelters who
were not very affected by the nuclear blast.
59. Troops' safety
a. When planning for a nuclear attack, the subject of the troops security (our troops)
must be taken into consideration since this fact sometimes hinders the use of
chemical weapons, affects the choice of agent type, dispersion methods, and
explosion sites and points even during the attack.
The danger covers our troops that are within the same target area as well as the
troops who are downwind or may be affected or hit because of the inaccuracies.
b. In areas that are contaminated by toxic chemical weapons, people are exposed to
dangers that depend on the type and quantity of the used chemical agent as well as
the nature of the ground and the weather conditions.
c. Our troops are not permitted to enter the contaminated areas unless in the
following cases:
One. When wearing protective equipment
Two. When performing decontamination operations
Three. After a period that is sufficient to lower the risk to the allowed limit
d. Vapors and aerosols of toxic chemical agents cause risks to the troops that are
downwind from the target area and at certain distances.
Annex D of this manual lays out information about the dangers of downwind
explosions and aerosols as well as the dangers of the liquid agent's persistence on
our troops.
e. Weapon inaccuracies are considered among the important factors since most of
used weapons have inaccuracies. Thus, upon using toxic chemical agents on
nearby and friendly sites, the weapon's inaccuracy should be taken into account to
avoid these sites (Inaccuracy levels are low compared with artillery weapons.
However, they are high if compared with missiles and shells)
f. The distance that is required for the safety of our troops from the target area is
known to be the shortest safe distance (Minimum Safety Distance - M. S. D.)
When the distance is shorter than the minimum safety distance (M. S. D.) the
leader has to make one of the following decisions:
One. Not to use the chemical weapon.
Two. Change the location of the hit (target)
Three. Withdraw the troops to the required distance, increase the protective
measures, or accept a high level of risk. The risk level depends on
the expected doses and is classified as low, medium, and urgent
(high).
Effects of the weather conditions and the nature of the ground
60. General considerations
The weather and the nature of the ground affect the function of the toxic cloud and the
persistence of the toxic chemical agents.
Despite using almost successfully the chemical agents in all conditions, the appropriate
ground nature and weather give the most effective results on these agents.
In general, light winds and normal temperature (10 -20 CO) as well as cloudy weather are
appropriate for using chemical agents. This normally occurs at night. The ideal wind
velocity is 2 to 3 meters / second. However, its effectiveness decreases if accompanied by
high temperature, excessive rain, or extreme cold...
As to the nature of the ground, the agent's cloud tends to go through valleys and last
longer in low and green areas. Toxic chemical agents are more effective if the ground is of a
solid, dry, and hot nature since the liquid chemical agent remains on the surface while
forming toxic vapors that in turn contaminate the surrounding air. However, the
contamination period is short since the agent evaporates quickly. If the ground is sandy
and damp, the chemical agent is absorbed by the soil and the contamination lasts for a
long time. The evaporation level of the agent is low compared to the first case. Annex E of
this manual lays out the effects of the weather and the nature of the ground on toxic
chemical agents.
61. Effects of the weather on the use of non persistent toxic chemical agents
The effect of non persistent toxic chemical agents depends on the quantity of vapors that
can be generated by these agents in the target area. Wind velocity and air turbulence are
considered the main factors that affect the concentration of the agent in the toxic cloud
while it the wind direction defines the main diversion of the cloud. As to rain, it does not
have any noteworthy effect on non persistent toxic chemical agents. Temperature level
changes control
the air turbulence. In other words, whenever the air temperature decreases by elevating
away from the surface of the ground, currents that spread vapors (unstable condition) are
generated. However, if the temperature increased when elevating away from the surface of
the ground, it creates a stable condition which helps the toxic cloud to stay close to the
surface of the ground. Therefore, the best conditions for the attack by using non
persistent toxic chemical agents is a stable condition or "equilibrium".
62. Weather effects on persistent toxic chemical agents
The persistence of (persistent) toxic chemical agents depend on many combined factors
that cannot be accurately predicted. In general, temperature degree and wind depend on
the persistence of the agents
a. Temperature
Low temperatures on the surface of the ground reduce the evaporation speed of
the toxic chemical agent and therefore increase the persistence period. At the same
time, they reduce the danger of its vapors. In cold weather, the liquid chemical
agent remains a danger for many months. However, it does not constitute a
dangerous vapor. On the contrary, when the temperature is high on the surface of
the ground, the evaporation speed of the toxic chemical agent increases and
eventually forms a dangerous vapor but for a short period of time. It is also
noteworthy that the temperatures on the surface of the ground not only vary
according to the altitude above the surface of the ground, the season, and time (day
/ night) but also to the nature of the ground (soil type). Sandy ground is hotter
that earthy ground under the same weather conditions.
b. Winds
High winds cause an acceleration in liquid chemical agents' evaporation and
eventually reduce the persistence period. In fact, the persistence of the liquid
chemical agents go contrary to the wind velocity.
c. Rain
Light rain has little effect on contamination. As to heavy rain on solid ground, it
leads to washing out a part of the contamination. This does not mean that its
danger is gone. As known, nerve agents are soluble in water while water solubility
for the mustard is low.
d. Snow
Snow covers the contaminated area and reduces the effects of toxic chemical
agents. However, after melting, the effects resurface.
63. Effects of the ground
a. Soil
The nature of the ground affects toxic chemical agents . The decomposition of the
smoke cloud (toxic agent) when passing through an open area is lower than when
passing through winding and rugged territories. The cloud tends to follow low
elevations even if it were going against the wind in high elevations. The toxic
concentration in the built or bordered area, or in forests lingers longer than in open
areas.
b. Soil and plants
Liquid chemical agents are affected by the nature of the soil. In the solid soil, the
liquid remains above the surface and mostly not absorbed. Therefore, it is exposed
to the effects of temperature, humidity, and rain. On the other hand, dry soil
absorbs the liquid and is eventually affected. In general, it may be said that
persistent toxic chemical agents remain for a longer period in covered grounds (not
desert) and forests. A part of the liquid chemical agent will stick to the grass and
leaves and thus increase the contaminated area.
Annexes
The three annexes show the following (we wish to refer to them)
Annex C: Dispersion methods and characteristics of toxic chemical agents
Annex D: Information about the troops (our troops) safety (Troops safety report of the chemical attacks)
Annex E: Effects of weather conditions and nature of the ground (area) on using toxic chemical agents.
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