The use of smoke in warfare - Historum

Comnena · January 15th, 2010, 09:03 PM

During the battle of Hattin in 1187 Saladin had fires lightened. He did this to blind the thirsty, harassed crusaders army that they were surrounding.

The Swedish also used smoke to blind the Russians during their struggles with Peter the Great. The Swedish had created a square boat with a sort of drawbridge that protected those inside. As they crossed the cold Russian rivers, they put up fires to hide these boats until they were at the other side. It was of course necessary that the wind was favourable.

Any other examples of the use of smoke during wars?

**Kirialax** · January 15th, 2010, 09:15 PM

Hello, dear relative.

At Adrianople in 378, the Goths used smoke which blew into the Roman lines.

deadkenny · January 16th, 2010, 03:20 AM

In more 'recent' times, the use of smoke became quite common. For example, in WWII there were specific artillery shells which generated smoke. Some AFV's had smoke generating cannisters. The purpose of course was to restrict the visibility of enemy troops to allow, for instance, attackers to advance across open ground.

Nick · January 16th, 2010, 03:34 AM

The Indians communicated using smoke signals

Himanil · January 16th, 2010, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

The Indians communicated using smoke signals

So did the Chinese and Greeks and the Native Americans.

**tjadams** · January 16th, 2010, 05:28 AM

Geo. Washington kept campfires burning in order to fool the British of his troop movements.

I once saw a program on TV testing, in China, between signal towers using smoke to communicate vs a man on horse back and a car. In the end, the smoke system was faster.

**Sharks and love** · January 16th, 2010, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Himanil

So did the Chinese and Greeks and the Native Americans.

And the Somalians. (Burning tires)

**Chookie** · January 16th, 2010, 11:30 AM

Smoke was used extensively in naval warfare prior to the introduction of ship-borne radar.

**Sargon of Akkad** · January 16th, 2010, 01:42 PM

The English used a system of beacons along the south coast to warn of invasion. Better luck next time, Spain!

**Cicero** · January 16th, 2010, 02:54 PM

Toxic smoke

Quote:

In the early 16th century A.D. the inhabitants of Brazil, trying to drive back the Portuguese conquistadors, created blinding smoke by burning chilli-peppers over coals.
As early as the 4th century B.C. the Chinese used noxious smoke to defend besieged cities. As the attackers attempted to undermine the city walls the defenders would attempt to tap into their tunnels with terracotta pipes. Then a bellows would be used to pump in smoke and noxious gas from a nearby furnace, causing fits, poisoning, suffocation and death in the enemy miners. By A.D. 1000 poison-bombs, noxious substances mixed with gunpowder and resin, were regularly being tossed from catapults or, later, fired from cannon. One ‘Poisonous Smoke Bomb’ from A.D 1044 gave off thick clouds of smoke when it ignited causing “bleeding from the nose and mouth”. Another terror weapon of the same period was a bomb that mostly consisted of 15 lbs of human excrement (ground and finely sifted), mixed with a few other special ingredients such as arsenic, poisonous herbs and ground up beetles. The bomb was said to cause irritation and blistering of the skin, and to be able to penetrate gaps in clothing and armour, much like the mustard gas of World War One. To protect friendly troops it was recommended that they suck on black plums and liquorice.