1/18/2023 0 Comments World war 2 gas maskIf you turned up at school without your mask, the teacher would send you back home to fetch it, and even some shops refused admission to customers caught without their gas masks. The government advised everyone to put on their gas mask for 15 minutes each day so that they got used to it. You could be fined if you were caught without your gas mask, and made to pay for a new one if you lost it! Posters were put up reminding the public to carry their mask, and how to put it on in case of an attack. Image © Imperial War Museum Keeping Everyone SafeĮveryone had to carry their gas mask at all times, in a cardboard box with a long string strap over your shoulder. There was a see-through panel for their face, and the mum was required to first put the mask on and then pump air into the baby's mask with a bellows. There were Mickey Mouse masks for small children, with red panels, and babies' gas masks, which looked like a giant hood that went right over them. Children soon discovered that it made a rude noise when you did that! When you blew out, the mask would pull away from the face. The rubber did not smell nice and made some people feel ill. The gas mask was pulled over the head and the straps tightened. All of them had a filter over the mouth area, which filtered out the gas. Some had one transparent panel to see through, others had two 'eye-holes'. Image © Imperial War Museum What Did A WWII Gas Mask Look Like? Production began in 1936 and by 1938 they had made 30 million. The 'General Civilian Respirator' was made at a disused mill in Blackburn, Lancashire. Scientists at the Porton Down laboratory were first asked by the British government to work on a design for a gas mask that was capable of being mass-produced and which cost two shillings (10p) each. Thankfully, despite concerns that gas attacks were going to be carried out on British civilians, this didn't happen and the gas masks were not needed. It attacked the eyes, lungs and respiratory attack and soldiers who were not killed could be left blind and disabled from the effects. It was hard to detect as it had barely any odour but had terrible effects. The gas that was used was called mustard gas. The gas masks were needed in case the Germans dropped gas bombs over Britain.ĭuring World War 1 gas had been used in the battlefields, and many British soldiers were badly injured or killed in these gas attacks. That means that around 38 million masks were issued. What Were Gas Masks Used For?Įvery adult and child in Britain was given a gas mask in September 1939. Your kids might be more familiar with the facts around the world war, thanks to the VE Day celebrations, but here we will focus on what they need to know about gas masks. Gas masks were issued to children (and grown-ups) in case the Nazis unleashed a gas attack on Britain. They may have seen pictures of evacuees being sent out to live in the country and will be familiar with the little cardboard box that every child wore. In Key Stage 2, children study the social history of World War II and learn what it was like to live through the war. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world.
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