Another item related to the Gas mask is the Gas Cape.
The gas cape is nothing more then a protective cape to be worn in the
event of a gas attack.
Later in the war, it became obsolete, however, the gas cape was worn until
the end of the war.
There are 2 type of gas cape pouches as can be seen on the picture below.
The left ones are the later cloth
ones, while the ones on the right are the early ruberized pouches.
Both types however, were produced throughout the war.
Below the front and back side of the gas cap pouch (Gasplanentasche)
The dimensions of the pouch are
aprox. 17 cm. x 22 cm.
Below,
the opened pouch,
and the gascape taken out of the pouch.
The cape is of impregnated paper, and is aprox. 2 metres x 1 metre
20 cm.
Because the impregnated paper is very brittle it isn't unfolded.
The typical PRYM buttons
The label, indicating 1943
Left:
The inside stamp of a rubberized Gascape pouch.
Makers mark aqd which stands for:
Radium - Gummiwerke, Köln-Dellbrück
The date indicates 1941
Method of wearing the gascape:
The gascape pouch has two loops at the backside, where the gasmask shoulder strap was put through.
The official way for the gascape pouch to be worn was on the chest, as can
be seen on the 1/6 Dragon model shown below left.
This, however, proved to be impratical and a lot of soldiers strapped the
gascape pouch to the gas mask canister
(as can be seen below on the right). This method was strictly prohibited,
because the effect of being able to
get the cape out of the pouch quickly, was nullified, but often practiced.
In an order from march 1940 it was dictated that the
sling of the gas mask canister had to be put through
the upper loop of the pouch twice to prevent sliding as can be seen below.
This, however, was still not
satisfactory for the soldiers in the field.
Finaly an order of december 1942 prescribed the gascape
to be worn as can be seen below
The sling was first put through the
loop on the canister, then through the loops on the gas cape pouch and
finaly secured
to the bottom loop together with the belt hook strap. This prevented the
pouch from sliding.
