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WWII Collecting: The following article describes the details of the two models of Commonwealth military gas masks. For the living historian and reenactor the respirator should be a required piece of kit. |
British Military Respirators of WWII
By: Tony S.
3rd Para Bde.
Without a doubt the most feared and hated weapon of WWI was Poison Gas. This weapon was used to kill, maim, and incapacitate thousands of soldiers. The manner of death was both gruesome and in some cases prolonged. The threat of chemical warfare was a constant worry for the Allied armies; upon Germanys surrender it was found that they had large stocks of both old and new types of chemical weapons. The allies also maintained large stocks of chemical weapons as a "deterrent".
The term "Gas" used in both World Wars was any solid, liquid or vapor which when released caused poisonous or irritant effects. These substances when released as vapor or irritant smokes mixed with the air and caused harmful effects upon any unprotected soldiers or animals. Some of these chemicals also caused harm if they came in contact with the skin.
To guard against losing soldiers to chemical attacks the British army developed respirators and anti-gas equipment to be issued to the fighting forces. This primer will deal with the two service respirators used by British forces in WWII. The respirators used by the British were designed to give protection against all types of chemicals which were likely to be used as war gases. These respirators were not suitable for protection against industrial gases such as carbon monoxide, nor would they help the wearer if there were a deficiency of oxygen.Service Respirator
The service respirator was intended to protect the soldier from prolonged exposure to chemical weapons; it was designed to be worn while "active" and to allow freedom of movement while wearing. The service respirator was carried in a canvas waterproof haversack divided into two compartments, one for the container and one for the facepiece and anti-dimming kit.
Service Respirator Haversack
This haversack came with a canvas carrying sling and a piece of cord attached. The facepiece was made of rubber, which in some variations was covered with khaki colored material. It was made to fit closely to the face to form a seal preventing leakage and contamination. The facepiece was held in place by elastic bands around the head, these elastic bands could be adjusted using the attached buckles to obtain the proper fit.
Service Respirator Side View
To ensure a proper fit the facepiece was available in five sizes; extra large, large, normal, small, and extra small. In addition, special facepieces were produced for those wearing spectacles or with abnormally hollow cheeks and temples. The removable eyepieces were made of splinter less glass and could be removed to decontaminate the facepiece by boiling. The facepiece was connected to the filter container by a flexible tube made of cloth-covered rubber. This tube was corrugated so as to remain flexible if bent. The filter container was a tinned iron box that contained activated charcoal.Carrying the Respirator
The respirator haversack was carried in one of two ways, the "alert" or the "slung" position. When carried in the "slung" position the haversack was carried on the left side of the body with the canvas sling over the right shoulder. The "alert" position meant that the respirator haversack was carried on the chest of the wearer either by shortening the sling or using a quick attachment S-hook. It was held close to the chest by a length of cord passed behind the back.
Service Respirator Front View
The respirator was to be marked with the users name; rank and regimental number inside the facepiece and one in the inside of the haversack. In addition a red identity disc with the users information was attached to the connecting tube. In July of 1940 it was decreed that all ranks were to carry their service respirators on all occasions when on parade, whenever they were not in the area of their quarters or duty station either on leave or on duty. Also the respirator was to be worn for inspection and training once a week.
In 1942 the rules were changed to give commanding officers greater leeway in the wearing of service respirators, and by 1945 the need for carrying the respirator had diminished.1943 Light Pattern Anti-Gas Respirator
In March of 1943 a new anti-gas respirator was introduced for use by the armed forces of Britain. This respirator more closely resembles the "Gas Masks" of today than the service respirator. It was a self-contained unit, which was made up of the facepiece and a filter container screwed into the facepiece on the left hand side. This model did away with the awkward connecting hose to the filter.
1943 Light Pattern Anti-Gas Respirator Haversack
This respirator gave the same level of protection as the older respirator but the filter did not last as long as the older model. This type of screw-in filter was more easily replaced than the older model. The facepiece of the light respirator was very similar to the old model being made of black rubber and secured with adjustable elastic headbands also having removable eyepieces.
1943 Light Pattern Anti-Gas Respirator and Haversack Front View
The light respirator was produced in three sizes, small, normal, and large, and was made so that the military issue spectacles could be worn inside the standard respirator instead of a special model. A special production mask was made for those who fired their weapon from the left shoulder with the filter on the right hand side.
1943 Light Pattern Anti-Gas Respirator Side View
The light respirator was marked using a red identification disc attached to the face piece with the wearers information and was not marked inside the facepiece. The light respirator haversack was made in a dark green canvas with a simple quick release opening, it had a web carrying strap attached to metal rings on either side of the bag. This haversack was not to be treated with Blanco like the older model due to the new haversack being treated with special waterproofing finish. The light respirator was issued to units serving overseas first, while support units and units based in the UK retained the service respirator.Carrying the Light Respirator
The Light respirator could be carried using the strap attached to the haversack and worn over either shoulder. Another method used by combat units was to attach the respirator haversack horizontally on the left side of the web belt using the brass attaching points on the haversack. With this method the haversack would rest on the left hip and kept the respirator close at hand and constantly attached to the soldiers equipment.Collectors Notes
Many collectors/dealers refer to the light respirator as an "airborne" version but this is an erroneous title, as all combat units were issued the new model. Until recently the light respirator was a fairly rare piece of commonwealth equipment to obtain. Nice wartime dated respirators sold for $75.00 to $100.00. However, a European government recently released a large batch of wartime dated light respirators. These pieces are in nice condition but with postwar dated filters. These recently surplused light respirators are currently selling for about half of what they used to.
British Army Issue Eyeglasses for use with Respirators
The early service respirators have stayed pretty current at about $50.00 for good condition pieces. These prices vary of course depending on whether the respirators are complete with haversack, anti-dimming tins, and anti-gas eye shields, which will be covered in the next newsletter. Both respirators were made of rubber that is now approaching the 60 year mark, do not be surprised if the rubber has become brittle and cracked, especially on the earlier service respirator. Avoid wearing these respirators due to this problem.
