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The complicated life and career of Fritz Haber, father of chemical warfare

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

On April 22, 1915, Canadian and Algerian troops holding the line on the Ypres salient watched as an ominous yellow-green cloud rose from the opposing German trenches and, carried by a light northeast wind, approached low and slow.

The cloud was, in fact, more than 160 tonnes of poisonous chlorine gas and as it rolled over the French colonials on the Canadians’ left flank, the Algerian soldiers began choking and gasping for air. Some turned and ran, but the gas followed them. The nearest Algerians made for the Canadian trenches across the road.

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A Canadian commander of the War of 1812

STORY BY PAIGE JASMINE GILMAR

A figure of yesteryear, Gordon Drummond—from his high-necked collars to his oil-painted profiles—doesn’t appear the trailblazer he was. An intuitive leader and clever military strategist, Drummond was refreshing as the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada in 1813, replacing Francis de Rottenburg who was said to be too timid. Drummond had gumption and a mastery of combat the British needed to keep the Americans at bay during the War of 1812.

He made history as the first Canadian-born lieutenant governor and officer of the colonial military and Upper Canada’s civilian governments. And through his command, Drummond set an important precedent: Canada required Canadian leadership.

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