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Description
This is an impression of a French tank crewman on gas alert, equipped with an M2 gas mask. One may see this style of uniform on tankiste in a sector that has had threats of a gas attack, or in their tank if a gas attack has begun if the wearer was unable to don the primary ARS mask. In addition to the standard gas mask training the soldiers would receive during the war, the tank crews would also be given gas mask training specific to vehicles. This required tank crews to be able to successfully put on their M2 gas mask in under 20 seconds with their eyes closed and while holding their breath inside the tank. The new ARS gas mask requirements in 1918 would bring this down to only seven to eight seconds. Tank interiors were 'open air' as vision slits were direct vision with no protection, so tank crews were at risk of becoming a casualty to gas attacks. Per the combat history of the tank regiments, fighting in the tank during a gas attack while wearing gas masks was not uncommon.

The gas mask highlighted here is the M2, the most common gas mask of the Great War with over 29,300,000 examples produced in total. This gas mask would be developed by Graveraux with inspiration taken from General Pétain's 2nd Army gas mask they had been designing independently. Thus, the production mask would be officially named M2 (literally Mask of the 2nd Army) and adopted on December 6th, 1915. The gas mask consists of two pieces of gauze sewn together and impregnated with gas neutralizing chemicals. The variant pictured here is the Masque M2B Modèle 1916. The mask is secured to the wearer by two elastic straps fixed to the upper corners of the mask positioned behind and above the head, adjusted by a safety pin. The M2B variant would see the addition of another elastic band that would wrap about the back of the neck for additional security. A larger strap made it possible to wear the mask around the neck in a waiting position. A waterproofed canvas bag and tin case was provided for soldiers to store the mask when not in use. Inside the waterproof canvas bag was a pocket for spare lenses in case the ones on the mask broke. Additionally, a soldier may carry cotton balls as it was instructed to place them in one's ears if the ear drums have been ruptured and there was gas present on the battlefield.

The masks were distributed in three sizes, this example being the regular size. Sizing was stamped on the canvas bag and on the underside of the waterproof screen on the mask itself. The sheer amount of M2 gas masks produced means there is a myriad of different variants between manufacturers, including waterproof canvas bags and tins.

The second display photo shows the tankiste wearing a 1918 Spanish Flu mask (just a nice example of one here) while the Masque M2B Modèle 1916 is stowed in the alert or waiting position. This position was done if there was a known threat of an imminent gas attack or in a frontline sector where gas attacks were commonplace. Sometimes the mask itself would be placed outside the waterproof canvas bag; however, leaving the mask exposed to the elements tends to decrease the effectiveness of the neutralizing chemicals. It was practice to place the gas mask large strap and the strap on the waterproof canvas bag around the neck and keep the M2 inside the canvas bag. When there was no threat of a gas attack both the canvas bag and M2 were placed in the tin case on the belt. Keeping the M2 inside both the canvas bag and inside the tin case allowed for the neutralizing chemicals to stay effective for extended periods of time.

The main display photo shows the tankiste wearing the M2 in the protective position. By late 1918, tank crews would be issued the ARS gas mask which was the new primary mask of the French Army. The M2 mask would be placed into a secondary role and worn in tandem with the ARS gas mask and donned in the event that the ARS gas mask became damaged. The M2 gave full protection from chlorine gas and phosgene gas for up to five hours before the neutralizing chemicals had to be replenished. The summarized regulation method of putting the mask on is as follows:
1 - From the alert position, slide helmet to back of head with the helmet strap placed at the neck.
2 - Remove M2 from canvas bag and secure to head, adjusting accordingly. The canvas bag should drop out of the way naturally as its strap is much longer than the neck strap on the M2, no longer being held up by the M2 strap at the neck.
3 - Ensure the mask is properly sealed on the face, feeling for any gaps on the sides.
4 - Place helmet back on top of head.
If the M2 was in the tin case, then it would have to be taken out then placed around the neck before the above steps can be taken. This whole maneuver should take less than 20 seconds. It may also have to be performed with eyes closed and breath held depending on how close the gas is. Regardless, the tankiste were sufficiently trained in putting on their masks both inside and outside their tank.

Description
This is an impression of a French tank crewman on gas alert, equipped with an M2 gas mask. One may see this style of uniform on tankiste in a sector that has had threats of a gas attack, or in their tank if a gas attack has begun if the wearer was unable to don the primary ARS mask. In addition to the standard gas mask training the soldiers would receive during the war, the tank crews would also be given gas mask training specific to vehicles. This required tank crews to be able to successfully put on their M2 gas mask in under 20 seconds with their eyes closed and while holding their breath inside the tank. The new ARS gas mask requirements in 1918 would bring this down to only seven to eight seconds. Tank interiors were 'open air' as vision slits were direct vision with no protection, so tank crews were at risk of becoming a casualty to gas attacks. Per the combat history of the tank regiments, fighting in the tank during a gas attack while wearing gas masks was not uncommon.

The gas mask highlighted here is the M2, the most common gas mask of the Great War with over 29,300,000 examples produced in total. This gas mask would be developed by Graveraux with inspiration taken from General Pétain's 2nd Army gas mask they had been designing independently. Thus, the production mask would be officially named M2 (literally Mask of the 2nd Army) and adopted on December 6th, 1915. The gas mask consists of two pieces of gauze sewn together and impregnated with gas neutralizing chemicals. The variant pictured here is the Masque M2B Modèle 1916. The mask is secured to the wearer by two elastic straps fixed to the upper corners of the mask positioned behind and above the head, adjusted by a safety pin. The M2B variant would see the addition of another elastic band that would wrap about the back of the neck for additional security. A larger strap made it possible to wear the mask around the neck in a waiting position. A waterproofed canvas bag and tin case was provided for soldiers to store the mask when not in use. Inside the waterproof canvas bag was a pocket for spare lenses in case the ones on the mask broke. Additionally, a soldier may carry cotton balls as it was instructed to place them in one's ears if the ear drums have been ruptured and there was gas present on the battlefield.

The masks were distributed in three sizes, this example being the regular size. Sizing was stamped on the canvas bag and on the underside of the waterproof screen on the mask itself. The sheer amount of M2 gas masks produced means there is a myriad of different variants between manufacturers, including waterproof canvas bags and tins.

The second display photo shows the tankiste wearing a 1918 Spanish Flu mask (just a nice example of one here) while the Masque M2B Modèle 1916 is stowed in the alert or waiting position. This position was done if there was a known threat of an imminent gas attack or in a frontline sector where gas attacks were commonplace. Sometimes the mask itself would be placed outside the waterproof canvas bag; however, leaving the mask exposed to the elements tends to decrease the effectiveness of the neutralizing chemicals. It was practice to place the gas mask large strap and the strap on the waterproof canvas bag around the neck and keep the M2 inside the canvas bag. When there was no threat of a gas attack both the canvas bag and M2 were placed in the tin case on the belt. Keeping the M2 inside both the canvas bag and inside the tin case allowed for the neutralizing chemicals to stay effective for extended periods of time.

The main display photo shows the tankiste wearing the M2 in the protective position. By late 1918, tank crews would be issued the ARS gas mask which was the new primary mask of the French Army. The M2 mask would be placed into a secondary role and worn in tandem with the ARS gas mask and donned in the event that the ARS gas mask became damaged. The M2 gave full protection from chlorine gas and phosgene gas for up to five hours before the neutralizing chemicals had to be replenished. The summarized regulation method of putting the mask on is as follows:
1 - From the alert position, slide helmet to back of head with the helmet strap placed at the neck.
2 - Remove M2 from canvas bag and secure to head, adjusting accordingly. The canvas bag should drop out of the way naturally as its strap is much longer than the neck strap on the M2, no longer being held up by the M2 strap at the neck.
3 - Ensure the mask is properly sealed on the face, feeling for any gaps on the sides.
4 - Place helmet back on top of head.
If the M2 was in the tin case, then it would have to be taken out then placed around the neck before the above steps can be taken. This whole maneuver should take less than 20 seconds. It may also have to be performed with eyes closed and breath held depending on how close the gas is. Regardless, the tankiste were sufficiently trained in putting on their masks both inside and outside their tank.