World War I gas masks

The First World War was one that led to numerous military developments between 1914 and 1918. Chemical weapons were used extensively. The idea had already existed and had been considered in other conflicts before, but it was really the first global conflict that brought it to fruition.

It's important to understand that assaults were infrequent, with the sides generally in trenches. To push the enemy back a little, the use of gas on both sides began to multiply. It was during the attack on Ypres, Belgium, on April 22, 1915, that the first mass gas offensive was carried out by the German block with chlorine gas. Tens of thousands were poisoned, and 1,000 died, forcing the Germans to give way.

From this date onwards, both sides produced progressively more dangerous gases to attack each other, including the well-known mustard gas, so named because its odor was somewhat reminiscent of the plant. Not surprisingly, each side tried to protect itself from attack. The first gas masks were mainly cloths soaked in various chemicals. Each side went on to develop increasingly elaborate masks, taking advantage of the opportunity to apply them to the animals used on the battlefield. The gases themselves were not so lethal. According to some sources, 93% of affected soldiers were able to return to combat. Nonetheless, the long-term effects on health were sometimes very harmful.

Many years later, these masks are less common during conflicts, but they are still used by firefighters, sanitation workers and others who need to protect their lungs from various harmful products.

Running time: 15:31

Image: Łukasz Dyłka from Pixabay