Time for some more work on the combo dio, and returning fresh and WWI inspired from a trip to Flanders’ fields and the Ypres Salient area (will post some pics later), I start work on making a gas curtain/blanket for the entrance.
I have been scouring the net for info and Photos but they are scarce. They seem to come in a variety of shapes and designs – few examples below.
I will be making a rolled up version.
During the excavation of the British Brigade HQ at the “Vampire Dugout” in the Ypres Salient, parts of which is dealt with in a Time Team special (2007), Military Historian Peter Barton goes into details about the gas attack precautions:
According to him, these would be treated with gas repelling chemicals rolled up top and bottom of every dug out entrance. At a pull at a string, they would fall down and create an air pocket, in case of a gas attack. The slight slope of the frame would help sealing.
I do have my doubts as to the effectiveness of this. Peter Barton claims that the air pocket creates a "sanctuary" from the different gas agents and accompanying footage
( modern dramatization) shows troops without masks.
I think not, troops would have donned masks at the sound of the gas alert, the curtain might give a longer time window to do so.
I digress, The Time Team special is very interesting if you are into building miniature WWI dugouts (aren’t we all?), or general archeology/history. It can be found here:
The gas curtain is dealt with at around 39:40.
I have been scouring the net for info and Photos but they are scarce. They seem to come in a variety of shapes and designs – few examples below.
I will be making a rolled up version.
During the excavation of the British Brigade HQ at the “Vampire Dugout” in the Ypres Salient, parts of which is dealt with in a Time Team special (2007), Military Historian Peter Barton goes into details about the gas attack precautions:
According to him, these would be treated with gas repelling chemicals rolled up top and bottom of every dug out entrance. At a pull at a string, they would fall down and create an air pocket, in case of a gas attack. The slight slope of the frame would help sealing.
I do have my doubts as to the effectiveness of this. Peter Barton claims that the air pocket creates a "sanctuary" from the different gas agents and accompanying footage
( modern dramatization) shows troops without masks.
I think not, troops would have donned masks at the sound of the gas alert, the curtain might give a longer time window to do so.
I digress, The Time Team special is very interesting if you are into building miniature WWI dugouts (aren’t we all?), or general archeology/history. It can be found here:
The gas curtain is dealt with at around 39:40.
