Gas mask, 1940, Flanders

Discussion in '1940' started by marc coene, Oct 12, 2014.

  1. marc coene

    marc coene Member

    Hello,

    Hereby a photo of a British gas mask we found years ago in the old moat in Zillebeke (Ypres region near Zillebeke Lakeà. Somebody knows if this was a standard British gas mask in 1940.
    May 26 & 27 in 1940 the 6th Seaforths Highlanders were overhere fighting some days against the Germans. Perhaps the gas mask was lost or demolished that days?
    Were the rounds around where the glasses have to be inserted made out of stainless steel? You should think as it was about 70 yeards in ground still like new?
    All info welcome. Thanks for your answer.

    Regards, Marc
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Marc, It looks like a British No.4 respirator and will be date-marked. Yours looks to be marked '3-40' on the harness. In addition, moulded into the rubber on the outside should be the size, such as 'Normal' and manufacturer's name and date (such as 'Avon 2-40' ) or similar.

    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30014823

    As far as I'm aware, these bulky respirators were no longer in use by 1944 so this is likely to have been abandoned in 1940.
     
  3. marc coene

    marc coene Member

    Hi Rich,

    Thanks for your answer. There is marked on the rubber 1939. So indeed it will have been abandonned in May 1940 here during the fights.

    Regards,
    Marc
     

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