gaswarfare

This is a Committee on Public Information photo, No. 8641. From the Committee's catalog: "8641 THE FLAPPER FAN IN USE. A gas wave coming over the trench, the men using the fan to clear the trench of gas. Training at Camp Kearney Cal " Catalogue of Photographs and Stereopticon Slides United States. Committee on Public Information. Division of pictures March 1 to June 1, 1918

A youtube video shows the fan in use. "In the trenches, mustard gas and other agents were counteracted in a variety of ways. Once an attack ceased, trenches were cleared of low lying gas. One method required the use of an Ayrton or trench fan. This device consisted of a two-foot-long handle attached to a rigid piece of canvas hinged to a fifteen-inch section that moved in one direction. In effect the fan was used like a shovel, with the moveable flap creating an upward air current, thus removing the gas. Americans adopted these fans as called for by British defensive gas doctrine. Unfortunately, the fans, according to the British were "worse than worthless." Not only did they not remove the vapor, but the exertion of masked users led to exhaustion and increased susceptibility to gassing. The fans were eventually discarded and burned to create an updraft, soon recognized as a better method of clearing trenches and dugouts of gas." www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_2Dt1-shPY The Imperial War Museum has one: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30028501

Decontamination squads were responsible for cleaning up the streets, roads, buildings and other material following air raids. Here the Newtown Decontamination Squad is holding an exercise. They are wearing their special clothing and breathing apparatus to protect them from gases and dangerous chemicals.

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The British Home Guard and Civil Defense: WWII, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Later generations need to see these images to see what our forefathers suffered in these dehumanised conditions and remember that after the Second World War other bloody European conflicts have been more limited and perhaps we do have our politicians to thank for this?

they almost look alien like ...very good shot..

The Great War (First World War), and the "battle of the trenches", very sad for all parts,particularly for those who were invaded. Tragic historical mistakes that ordinary people must suffer and endure... Like always the Aussies and the Brits are great soldiers at war !!!

My grandfather was in the ANZACS during the first world war. He died a year or two after demob from cancer brought on by mustard gas poisoning. He was 29 or 30 years of age and left a wife and three children (one my mother).

Photo caption from AWM:

"Soldiers of the 45th Battalion wearing gas respirators in a trench at Garter Point, in the Ypres Sector. Identified, foreground working back: 2146 Corporal H Davis; 3696 Private (Pte) Thomas J Barrow; 5330 Pte Arthur Benfell. (Note by Sergeant A Brooksbank, Gas NCO, 10th Australian Infantry Brigade: 'Alert' and 'Alternative Alert' positions of wearing respirator haversack of small bos respirator of modern practical utility).

Taken September 27, 1917, Western Front: Western Front (Belgium), Menin Road Area Garter Point"