The First Gas Regiment was established as the result of an order of the War Department in 1917, requiring that each army have a gas and flame service, and requiring as part of it an offensive Gas Regiment. The Boston Transcript reported: "Like the celebrated Camouflage Battalion, it is being organized on the cable request of Lieutenant-General John J. Pershing for a body of men to do pioneer work in the front-line trenches in Flanders. The Germans violated all the laws of war and humanity with their introduction of searing flames and poison gases into the trenches of the Allies, and now American genius and patriotism are relied upon to beat the Hun at his own game."