Mustard Gas Detection in ww2

[Gareth]

You learn something new every day. Just noticed a strange metal flap on a 1/35 scale Matador truck I am making and on researching it low and behold its a gas detection device ! Apparently most British and US vehicles had them on and its basically a special paint often in a circular shape in view of the driver or commander that changes colour when it comes into contact with gas. Apparently it was applied by brush in the field and set like concrete. It has a light brown colour and goes red on detecting gas. It was also common to paint the allied air recognition stars using this paint in-between the star and outer circle.

“M5 Liquid Detector Paint
In early 1941, the Chemical Warfare Service investigated British detector paint similar to the dye-based ones developed during World War I. This one, however, used a blue dye designated B-1 that turned red when liquid drops of mustard agent reacted with it. Although effective as a detector, the paint was not standardized due to some of the ingredients being unavailable. Additional research established that other colors could be added to the blue dye, yet it would still turn red when exposed to liquid mustard agent. This concept eventually led to the development of M5 Liquid Vesicant Detector Paint that was standardized in 1942. The paint was olive drab and could be painted on a surface. It completely dried in about five hours and was effective up to a month. Contact with liquid mustard agent resulted in a red spot, although decontaminating agent and protective ointment could cause a false reaction. Over 7.8 million 4-ounce cans of the paint were procured during World War II. After the war, it was found that the paint also reacted similarly to nerve agents. M5 Detector Paint was obsoleted in 1956”

[invisible officer]

A similar device was given to the foot slogger, Each man got two gas detection armbands. They too turned red. But it was rarely worn.

[Dr Dave]

Later on it’s often hard to see the patch of paint in any photographs. You certainly see it in France in 1940, but not in ‘44.

[Jim Ripley]

IRC the Germans also had something similar on their tanks . Funny , the Germans pretty much carried gas mask cases throughout the war , while the Brits seemed to loose theirs . An old soldier back in the late 1970s ( ex Afrika Korp ) told me he kept a bottle of Brandy in his GM case , saved it from getting broken

[invisible officer]

The Wehrmacht did not expect a Gas war post 41 so the Gasplane was taken from the men and put into depot.

They had the Aufspürgerät that reacted to more types of gas. It could be worn on the belt or in vehicle, Looks a bit like a long lamp.

And a lot of other stuff like Aufspürpuder (powder) that reacted by changing Color. But normally not issued to the units.

In the carrier some Wehrmacht soldiers carried a lot of other stuff too.

But you should not forget that UK and US army had been fully motorized, so the men could put the mask into vehicle. An option that most German soldiers did not have.

[Jim Ripley]

All German tanks have holders for the gas mask cases near each crew position along with a breathing tube in a holder . I guess using the full mask in the tank would restrict vision in combat although I thought the gas was supposed to burn exposed eyes & skin . You can see the holders in various museum vehicles ( Saumar Sturm Tiger ) and in the gutted Maus hull on the Russian You Tube walk around , so even late war the Germans still worried about gas , or just never took the instillation of GM cases off their blue prints

[Gareth]

You guys are an encyclopaedia of knowledge ,thx.

[invisible officer]

Carrying the mask was not just for gas warfare. The gas mask was also used against smoke from fires. It helps against some of the poison. Not all types. A problem is the Oxygen. As long as there is 17 % Oxygen left you can use it with good effect. (But in a burning house with less dont try. 😉 )

The first Ofenrohr AT lacked the shield, so the Crew wore gasmask without “Filter” and a Poncho against the blast. Same was done by men working with acids.

In some case Wehrmacht men even used it against wind chill, face full with some “Nivea”

Another grim reason was the smell of dead. Burrying commandos wore them.

[Author]

Posts