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Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945 to Estelle Spero

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09120.046 Author/Creator: Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945 Place Written: Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa. early summer 1942 Pagination: 9 p. : Height: 18.5 cm, Width: 27 cm Order a Copy

Describes the experience of being subjected to a dose of chloracetophenone (tear gas) in order to demonstrate to the soldiers the value of the gas mask. Outlines the rest of the day's schedule - a class in military customs and the History of chemical warfare, a class on the identification of airplanes, a session during which the company were forced to lay out field wire and telephones and sessions with both the rifle and revolver. Explains the etymological root of the expression, a "gig", meaning a special detail assigned after hours as a mode of punishment

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