Exhibit of the Month - Jun. '25
06.06.2025
As exhibit of the month - June 2025, we present the German People's Gas Mask, which is on display in the Military History Collection (MGS).
The German People's Gas Mask
This month's exhibit is the so-called "German People's Gas Mask." By the end of the war, 45 million of these had been delivered to protect the population from possible Allied gas bombs.
Depending on the chemical, it provided protection for approximately 20 minutes, but only 5 minutes against the highly toxic phosgene. During this time, the wearer of the mask was supposed to be able to seek shelter in a nearby shelter or at least in a basement.
These masks were issued from 1937 onwards, but their quality deteriorated towards the end of the war. All versions had two separate viewing lenses, a round, screw-on filter, and an exhalation valve.
In the future, there are plans to dedicate a section of the Military History Collection to the events of the period from 1937 to 1945. This section covers the period from the construction of the barracks and military base in the Augustdorf area to the heavy fighting in the "Dörenschlucht" (Dören Gorge) and the rarely mentioned, equally fierce fighting at the "Mordkuhle" (Murder Pit).
We would like to thank you for the donation of this immaculate, mint-condition exhibit, which provides us with insight into the thinking behind civil protection. With the military conflicts in Ukraine, which will hopefully remain localized, we should once again consider the extent to which we can protect ourselves or prepare for other unforeseen events.
The recent power outages in Spain, Portugal, and parts of France have shown that even one or two days without power can lead to chaos.