Gaskmask from Bastogne

[greg.hays]

Hello all, this is my first post in this forum, as I rarely come across anything British. I purchased this mask in Bastogne on my way home from Brussells a few weeks ago. I've been reasearching it for a while and I believe it is either British or Canadian. Some sites have identified it as a rare British paratroopers mask and others a common Canadian mask. Here are some photos of it all help is greatly appreciated. Greg

[greg.hays]

The headband.

[greg.hays]

Marking beside the filter.

[greg.hays]

Sorry bad pic. The inside marking which is also present on the filter.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Greg, it is the Lightweight pattern respirator introduced in 1943. It replaced the well known early war British respirator that was worn on the chest. Dealers like to call them "Airborne" to make them more expensive! They were general issue.

Not sure if you have the bag for it, so here is a pic just in case.

Cheers, Ade.

[greg.hays]

Thank you for the clarification. I paid 30 Euro for it, and a Belgian Army mask so I'm not disappointed it's not "airborne" it seems like a fair price. I would love to find out where I could get a bag for it. Any suggestions? Greg

Hi Greg, it is the Lightweight pattern respirator introduced in 1943. It replaced the well known early war British respirator that was worn on the chest. Dealers like to call them "Airborne" to make them more expensive! They were general issue.

Not sure if you have the bag for it, so here is a pic just in case.

Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Greg, the price was OK. I should be able to pick you up a bag with no problems at Beltring next month. They sell for under £10. You will then need a set of Anti gas eyeshields, and tin of Anti dim for the lens and a tin of Anti-gas onitment and some wool wadding waste. All this fits into the bag in the little pouches. See what you have started!

They are "Airborne". It is just that the fact that they are advertised as that and nothing else. The bag can be worn slung on the strap or worn fastened directly to the belt. I know from talking with Vets from 1st A/B Div that different units wore them in different ways. The Pathfinders wore them slung.


Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Try here for a bag. It is for a dealer in Holland:

http://www.dddump.nl/

Dick is a friend of mine and had a load of these the past 18 months.

Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

http://www.westland.nl/

Here the respirator and bag can be bought for 35 Euros.

Cheers, Ade.