Dekalb

What proof of your statement can you give us? 

This subject has come up in years past on AgTalk. First problem would've been transportation. How would military have transported NH3 under pressure to remote island sites? Do you have any WW2 photos showing the practice? 

They still build runways (and roads) today. Why no NH3 used?

From earlier discussions, it seems there was a product they used in WW2 called "Anhydrous lime" (meaning without water) to help dry the soil for compaction. This has nothing to do with ammonia. There are a lot of skin care products made with anhydrous....oil. I'm guessing they're not rubbing NH3 on their skin. Certainly not more than once anyway.

I personally think the runway building thing legend started as one product, then in someone's memory, it was affirmed as NH3. We've used NH3 for many-many years and it seems our dirt is getting more mellow. But I've never thought it was due to using NH3.