Livens Projector

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	Weapon: Livens Projector Type: Chemical Weapons Launcher Country of Origin: United Kingdom Year Adopted: 1916 Caliber: 200mm Action: Chemical Mortar Overall Length (mm): 1500.0 Overall Length (in): 59.06 Weight (kg): 50.00 Weight (pounds): 110.23 Effective Range (m): 1500 m Effective Range (yards): 1640.42

The Livens Projector was an innovative chemical weapon launcher developed during World War I by British engineer Captain William Howard Livens. Designed as a simple yet effective means of delivering gas attacks against enemy trenches, it consisted of a metal tube, angled towards the target, which launched large canisters filled with chemical agents such as chlorine or phosgene. The weapon operated using an electrically fired black powder charge to propel the canisters, ensuring a more concentrated and sudden gas release than traditional methods. Its simplicity allowed for mass deployment, with multiple units arranged in batteries to maximize coverage over enemy positions.

First used in 1917, the Livens Projector saw extensive service on the Western Front, particularly during the Battle of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. Thousands of units were manufactured, and their ability to deliver chemical agents with precision made them a crucial component of British gas warfare tactics. The projector's design also permitted rapid deployment, enabling surprise attacks that could overwhelm enemy defenses before they had a chance to react. While primarily used for chemical warfare, it was later adapted for incendiary and explosive payloads, broadening its tactical applications.

The notoriety of the Livens Projector stems from its effectiveness in gas warfare and its role in shaping chemical weapons tactics during and after World War I. Although banned under the Geneva Protocol of 1925, similar principles were later applied in the development of modern multiple rocket launch systems. Some Livens Projectors were even used during World War II for experimental purposes, but their role diminished as more advanced artillery and missile technologies emerged. Today, surviving examples of the Livens Projector can be found in military museums, serving as a stark reminder of the deadly impact of chemical warfare.