Gas Mask World War II
During World War I (1914-1918) many soldiers had been badly injured, or killed, when their enemies threw bombs at them which released poisonous fumes when they exploded. During World War II Britain was very worried that these gas bombs would be dropped on the country during air raids and injure innocent civilians. So the authorities supplied everyone with gas masks so that they would be protected if this happened. The gas masks had a filter near the mouth which when you breathed in stopped the bad gas from coming inside. The masks covered your whole face so delicate parts (like your eyes) were also protected. Gas was never used against the British, so the effectiveness of the preparations was never tested.
Children had to take regular gas drills at school. They found these drills hard to take seriously, especially when they discovered blowing out through the rubber made 'rude' noises!
Gas Mask World War II
During World War I (1914-1918) many soldiers had been badly injured, or killed, when their enemies threw bombs at them which released poisonous fumes when they exploded. During World War II Britain was very worried that these gas bombs would be dropped on the country during air raids and injure innocent civilians. So the authorities supplied everyone with gas masks so that they would be protected if this happened. The gas masks had a filter near the mouth which when you breathed in stopped the bad gas from coming inside. The masks covered your whole face so delicate parts (like your eyes) were also protected. Gas was never used against the British, so the effectiveness of the preparations was never tested.
Children had to take regular gas drills at school. They found these drills hard to take seriously, especially when they discovered blowing out through the rubber made 'rude' noises!