Omaha daily bee., 1918-03-04
GERMAN ATTACK
With GAS BOMBS
TOOK US. ASLEEP
Use of Weapon Barred by All
Civilized Countries Is Now
Losing Its FrightfuI
Effectiveness.
(By Associated Press.1

Washington, March 3. - Recent
American casualties in gas attack
illustrated the experience of all tht
European armies that the success oI
the barbarous weapon. revived by the
Germans, largely is dependent on sur
prise, since improved masks have
eliminated all danger if the men have
time 10 put them on.
The Americans were caught asleep
or before they were able to adjust
their masks, which a statement to-
night by the gas defense service of the
medical department, declared to be the
most efficient in existence.
Gas masks now are being manu-.
factured at a rate which assures an
ample supply for the troops abroad
and for training at home, said the
service statement. Many factories
turning from peace TO war work, are
producing masks of the approved type
and in addition a government plant
employing 1000 persons, soon will be
in operation to do the more difficult
sewing operations on the face pieces.
All to Be Equipped.
The determination of the govern
ment that no American shall 60 into
the trenches without full equipment
will prevent the narrowing exper-
fences suffered by the Canadians at
Ypres in April, 1915, when the Ger
mans first called to their aid the
weapon outlawed by all civilized ma
tions subscribing to The Hague con-
vention.
Cotton fabric, carefully rubberized,
cut to fit various types of faces, forms
the face piece of the American mask
and is held in place by elastic bands
over the head. The ears are left un-
covered, and sight is provided through
celluloid or glass eye pieces. A
canister filled with secret chemicals is
carried in a small knapsack and con-
nected with flexible tube which goes
into the soldiers mouth. A nose clamp
forces the wearer to breathe through
his mouth, the air being taken in
through the canister and any gas rem
dered harmless by the absorbent
chemicals. Outgoing breath passes
through a small rubber valve in the
face piece.
Must Be Ready.
Mere provision of masks is only the
beginning of the defense system, how
ever, as the men must be trained to
know when gas attack is coming
and to adjust their masks in six Sec
onds or less.
An alarm is given by horns.
whistles or rattles. The mask is car
ried in knapsack at the left hip, the
supporting straps being shorte1ed
when danger zone is entered so that
the mask rests on the chest at the
alert" A soldier has merely to open
the knapsack, pull out the flexible hose
with the face piece attached. put the
rubber mouthpiece in his mouth and
adjust the bands over his head. The
nose clip can be placed in position
after the mask Is on. ~
Training the men comprises long
drills in adjusting the masks. exhibit
tions OF the efficacy OF the masks by
having the man enter a gas-filled hut
wearing them and finally sham gas
attacks at unexpected moments. Three
separate parts now are comprised in
the gas defense service, known as the
field supply section. field training sec
ton and overseas repair section. The
first furnishes the masks, the second
teaches its use and the third attends
to repairs in France and the replace
ment of the eanisters when the chemi-
Gals lose their strength.