Invisible man
- Thread starter 911car
- Start date
joerookery
Well-known member
This is the one I was talking about. I am going for it. :tongue1: :tongue1:
Hey Bruno,
I suspect that the mask was put on in haste, and it is possible that they were sometimes worn over one eye to make sure that at least one eye would not be contaminated, the googles were to keep the gas out of the eyes, as the eyes will absorb poison very fast (cocaine too). This was the early style of masks, used by Germany, France and England, they were soaked in a chemical to neutralize the gas, either chlorine or phosgine (sp)
and the chenical would be carried in a small glass vial, and applied when it was determined what gas they were facing. The mask had to be kept moist, and that is where the myth of having to pee on the French M2 mask came from, if the soldier did not have any source of water to moisten his mask, he could always urinate on it as a last resort.
Best wishes
gus
I suspect that the mask was put on in haste, and it is possible that they were sometimes worn over one eye to make sure that at least one eye would not be contaminated, the googles were to keep the gas out of the eyes, as the eyes will absorb poison very fast (cocaine too). This was the early style of masks, used by Germany, France and England, they were soaked in a chemical to neutralize the gas, either chlorine or phosgine (sp)
and the chenical would be carried in a small glass vial, and applied when it was determined what gas they were facing. The mask had to be kept moist, and that is where the myth of having to pee on the French M2 mask came from, if the soldier did not have any source of water to moisten his mask, he could always urinate on it as a last resort.
Best wishes
gus
That is a super cool foto and I have never seen the German version of the tampon mask being worn ever before. I do not believe that the cloth is covering one eye piece. I think more likely that this is a light reflection off of the eye piece caused by the sun. and the angle at which the foto was taken. Any guess as to what is covering the ammo pouch? Again what a super piece of historical photography. Brian
joerookery
Well-known member
I will see what other kinds of information this gem provides when it arrives. :read2:
Hey Joe,
You got it cheap, and I am relieved that I was not the one that ran you up.
Brian. I wondered about the cloth on the ammo pouch too. and I think you are right about the reflection on the lens. another point is that he has his pouches suspended by the Breadbag strap, and he is wearing the Tornister with out the traps being attache to the pouches, easier to drop it. This is a very cool photo, and I am almost sorry I did not out bid Joe on it, the good thing is that it should be in one of Joe's up coming books.
Best wishes
Gus
You got it cheap, and I am relieved that I was not the one that ran you up.
Brian. I wondered about the cloth on the ammo pouch too. and I think you are right about the reflection on the lens. another point is that he has his pouches suspended by the Breadbag strap, and he is wearing the Tornister with out the traps being attache to the pouches, easier to drop it. This is a very cool photo, and I am almost sorry I did not out bid Joe on it, the good thing is that it should be in one of Joe's up coming books.
Best wishes
Gus
Thank you Gus for these interesting details. And Brian actually answered one of my questions: there were actually eyepieces on the goggles, which is not obvious on this picture. Good point that light reflection may have caused the white aspect on the right eyepiece. Who knows why the other eye is not visible though; maybe these eyepieces were darkened.
Some time ago I had access to original archives from a hospital in Paris where heavily (and often fatally) "gassed" soldiers were received. Reports described the clinical condition of the poor fellows exposed to "yperite" (aka "mustard gas"). How awful! Besides immediate devastating effects this gas is always known for its teratogenic potential (ability to induce severe malformations in the embryo and fetus).
Bruno
Some time ago I had access to original archives from a hospital in Paris where heavily (and often fatally) "gassed" soldiers were received. Reports described the clinical condition of the poor fellows exposed to "yperite" (aka "mustard gas"). How awful! Besides immediate devastating effects this gas is always known for its teratogenic potential (ability to induce severe malformations in the embryo and fetus).
Bruno
Pierre Grande Guerre
New member
A few years ago I visited the beautiful Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium, Bruno. The museum guys exhibit also a small flacon with Yperite to smell the gas yourself. I thought that there was only the smell of it to sniff and I did take a good snuff. Immediately afterwards I have been feeling myself disorientated and not quite well for about 20 minutes. It of course might have been a matter of suggestion, or perhaps it was indeed a harmless, small portion of the original gas, but anyway, this was not a fine experience at all. I surely will never smell again in such musea along the Western Front at small bottles with war gas. :twisted:
drakegoodman
Member
Great pic, and certainly unusual. Pity help the wearer in a gas attack though, the improvised cloth and glass (?) goggles don't seem to make seal. Good luck Joe.
While we're on the subject, I have this one ...
Original size
- Brett
While we're on the subject, I have this one ...
Original size
- Brett
joerookery
Well-known member
I received the picture and it is quite large about 1 1/2 times the size of a postcard and you can see this was stamped on the back -- can't really read it all perhaps Robert can do his magic! No more detail on the front.
Pierre Grande Guerre
New member
Well the picture has been published by the General Staff and is open for printing after authorisation etc. dated, 22 March 1917.
But if the officer is wearing a gas mask, which I doubt a little; it could also be an early model of April 1915.
I will post a photo of it with a Bavarian Jager of 1915 wearing the April 1915 model around his neck, but only if you are interested.
From far away the shape looks like the modern masks, we use for painting the house, etc.
But if the officer is wearing a gas mask, which I doubt a little; it could also be an early model of April 1915.
I will post a photo of it with a Bavarian Jager of 1915 wearing the April 1915 model around his neck, but only if you are interested.
From far away the shape looks like the modern masks, we use for painting the house, etc.
joerookery
Well-known member
Pierre I am quite interested!
The authorization may be dated in March 1917 however, the picture was taken when there are numbers on the helmet cover. It appears to me to be an early kind of mask but that may be wishful thinking on my part. You say you have your doubts about it even being a gas mask -- share your thoughts. What else could it be? Perhaps something to ease the various smells of the battlefield??
The authorization may be dated in March 1917 however, the picture was taken when there are numbers on the helmet cover. It appears to me to be an early kind of mask but that may be wishful thinking on my part. You say you have your doubts about it even being a gas mask -- share your thoughts. What else could it be? Perhaps something to ease the various smells of the battlefield??
Pierre Grande Guerre
New member
I was partly referring to Brett's pic, but also to Joe's text. Sorry for creating confusion, gentlemen. 
To continue about the gas masks:
Well Joe, I have zoomed in and I have come to the conclusion that it must be an April 1915 model. But I can still not understand well those elastic straps, which look quite uncomfortable (watch the ear!) and like almost self-produced. Confusing and confused by the straps and not the by me expected strings.
I show you a detail and afterwards the complete picture of a Bavarian Jager, somewhere in the Vosges in 1915, showing an April 1915 model gas mask. The mask contained a tissue, drenched in hyposulfite, according to the example of the French C1 Model.
I also found on the same page this perhaps interesting photo, showing a 1914 Draeger Model on the left, and an August 1915 Gummimaske Model.
The Draeger gas mask was quite complex; top a cartridge with Calium (?), centre a container with compressed oxygen and an air tight sack below. It was a closed circuit, and could work for an half hour. It was mainly handed to medics, sappers, and sentries in observation posts. Perhaps because it was so difficult to handle?
To continue about the gas masks:
Well Joe, I have zoomed in and I have come to the conclusion that it must be an April 1915 model. But I can still not understand well those elastic straps, which look quite uncomfortable (watch the ear!) and like almost self-produced. Confusing and confused by the straps and not the by me expected strings.
I show you a detail and afterwards the complete picture of a Bavarian Jager, somewhere in the Vosges in 1915, showing an April 1915 model gas mask. The mask contained a tissue, drenched in hyposulfite, according to the example of the French C1 Model.
I also found on the same page this perhaps interesting photo, showing a 1914 Draeger Model on the left, and an August 1915 Gummimaske Model.
The Draeger gas mask was quite complex; top a cartridge with Calium (?), centre a container with compressed oxygen and an air tight sack below. It was a closed circuit, and could work for an half hour. It was mainly handed to medics, sappers, and sentries in observation posts. Perhaps because it was so difficult to handle?
joerookery
Well-known member
more Gas!
Drake...I wonder if your pic is of a recently captured French trench? From accounts I have read the germans were quite neat in their trenches while the french did not place too much influence on that, just elan! Can anyone ID some of the equipment lying there? Looks like a Brit canteen in the foreground??