![]() ![]() The German High Command sanctioned the use of gas in the hope that this new weapon would bring a decisive victory, breaking the enduring stalemate of trench warfare. ![]() Then there staggered into our midst French soldiers, blinded, coughing, chests heaving, faces an ugly purple color, lips speechless with agony, and behind them in the gas soaked trenches, we learned that they had left hundreds of dead and dying comrades. Greenish-gray clouds swept down upon them, turning yellow as they traveled over the country blasting everything they touched and shriveling up the vegetation. figures running wildly in confusion over the fields. 2 A British soldier described the pandemonium that flowed from the front lines to the rear. Within a matter of minutes, this slow moving wall of gas killed more than 1000 French and Algerian soldiers, while wounding approximately 4000 more. The surprise use of chlorine gas allowed the Germans to rupture the French line along a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) front, causing terror and forcing a panicked and chaotic retreat. Disregarding intelligence reports about the strange cylinders prior to the attack, the French troops were totally unprepared for this new and horrifying weapon. The order to release the gas was entrusted to German military meteorologists, who had carefully studied the area’s prevailing wind patterns. Filled with pressurized liquid chlorine, the cylinders had been clandestinely installed by the Germans more than 3 weeks earlier. Within 10 minutes, 160 tons of chlorine gas drifted over the opposing French trenches, engulfing all those downwind. It is thought that he collected this item while serving with the latter unit.IN THE LATE AFTERNOON OF April 22, 1915, members of a special unit of the German Army opened the valves on more than 6000 steel cylinders arrayed in trenches along their defensive perimeter at Ypres, Belgium. He served with 17th Battalion AIF in 1918 and joined the Australian Graves Detachment when it was raised in early 1919. This commercially successful innovation was utilised in the construction of the filters to enable their quick change and in the fitting of enhanced versions of filters as required without discarding the mask itself.Ĭollected by 7159 Private Horace Alchin, who enlisted from Crookwell, NSW on 7 August 1917, aged 21. The gas filters which were fitted to these German gas masks in the First World War had an un-modified standard Osram brand street light screw fitting. This case contained a small compartment in the folding lid for spare set of lenses and usually contained an instruction sheet at the bottom explaining how to use the gas mask.ĭue to the effective Royal Navy blockade of German ports, apart from the metal, ersatz (substitute) materials were also used in the production of gas masks and cans. The gas mask carry case was known as a 'Lederschutzmaske (Bereitschaftsbuchen)'. ![]() These were removed on the improved Gasmaske 18. The spoked metal devices on the inside of both lenses were known informally as 'spiders'. Sometimes referred to as 'model 1917', after the year of its introduction, this style of gas mask was also known as the 'Ledermaske (Gasmaske 17)'. The Germans used both leather 'leder' and rubber 'gummi' masks during the First World War. At the top of the canister mount, along the middle of the gas mask is a hook for the attachment of a length of ersatz paper cord (which is missing) which is normally threaded between the eyes to a leather loop on the gas mask above the forehead of the wearer. The bottom of the canister is heavily rusted and through these rusted holes can be seen some of the white coloured filter lining. The remnants of a small manufacturer's stamp are also barely visible. On the canister is stamped in faded blue ink '9u'. When the canister is removed an embossed 'H2' can be seen on the outside circular metal mounting surface of the mask. A long khaki cotton webbing strap attached near the chin enables the mask to be suspended around the neck.Ī rusted and scratched grey-green canister filter unit is attached to the mask. Khaki cotton head straps are connected to coiled springs inside cotton sleeves to keep mask in place. ![]() The right 'spider' fitted to the mask has some of the inner circular metal piece missing. Internally, the eyepieces have removable metal 'spiders' enabling the inner layer (which was coated with gelatine to absorb moisture) to be replaced. The circular eyepieces are made of two layers of yellowed celluloid, set in painted circular steel frames with leather gaskets where they are let into the mask. The single seam running under the chin and the folded edge of the mask are coated with a black sealant lacquer partially made from rubber. The mask is made from a single piece of chrome-tanned sheepskin dipped in an oil sealant solution. German 'Lederschutzmaske' (Leather protection mask) gas mask. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |