Second Battle of Ypres

The Second Battle of Ypres, fought from April 22 to May 25, 1915, during World War I, marked the first large-scale use of chemical weapons in warfare. German forces unleashed chlorine gas against Allied troops, aiming to break the stalemate on the Western Front. Despite initial chaos and heavy casualties, the Allies managed to hold much of their positions. The battle underscored the horrors of modern warfare, leading to increased use of gas masks and new strategies in combat. It also heightened awareness of the brutality of the war, impacting public perception and military tactics for the rest of the conflict.