Contribution of the 33 Central Scientific Research Test Institute of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation to the Victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War

Highlights

 In 1941–1945 experts of Research Chemical Institute (RCI RAPW) and Central Military Chemical Test Site (CMCTS) created brand-new samples of chemical protection devices (respirators, protective suits, chemical-warfare decontamination agents) and particular weapons (smoke- producing mixtures, flame throwers, etc.).

 The inventions of RCI RAPW and CMCTS ensured the Soviet troops protection and became the main reason why Germany abandoned the idea of using chemical weapons at the Eastern front line.

Relevance. The development of chemical protection devices and particular weapons was crucial during the Great Patriotic War. We should never forget people and institutions that contributed greatly to that.

 The purpose of the study is to provide a retrospective view of the contributions of RCI RAPW and CMCTS experts to the creation and development of a wide range of chemical protection devices, smoke-producing, flame-throwing and incendiary agents in pre-war period and during the Great Patriotic War (GPW).

 Study base sources. The study was based on the archive documents of the 33 Central Scientific Research Test Institute of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, memoirs of the involved persons and scientific publications on military chemistry history.

 Research methods. The study employed an integrated approach combining analysis of military-historical literature and archival data.

 Results. The authors of this article have found out that in pre-war period and during the Great Patriotic War the experts of RCI RAPW and CMCTS developed:

- brand-new layouts of filter and self-contained respirators with enhanced protection;

- brand-new skin protection agents and decontamination methods;

- efficient smoke-producing and flame-throwing incendiary mixtures.

 Conclusions. The conducted analysis has led the authors to the following conclusions:

- Dedication of RCI RAPW and CMCTS experts in pre-war period and during the Great Patriotic War led to that RAPW had the most efficient samples of smoke-producing and flame-throwing incendiary mixtures as well as enhanced protection devices, which contributed greatly to the Victory over German Nazi invaders;

- The inventions of RCI RAPW and CMCTS ensured the Soviet troops protection and became the main reason why Germany abandoned the idea of using chemical weapons at the Eastern front line.

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