Wearing and Carrying WW2 British Anti-Gas Equipment - Reenacting Tips

A video looking at the wearing and carrying of basic British anti-gas equipment including haversacks and gas capes.
/ riflemanmoore
/ riflemanmoore

[@liammalarky3483]

In the 1970's army and navy surplus shops were full of those haversacks. A lot of us kids used them as school bags. Everyone's dad, uncles etc used them to take their packed lunch to work. Nowadays they are as rare as hen's teeth. Great to see them again.

[@timringer5676]

This has cleared up a few things I was wondering about. Very useful video chaps, keep them coming 👍

[@RiflemanMoore]

More on the way, glad you found it interesting!

[@flame-nl4wt]

This was very informative thank you

[@firearmsaremagic]

Wow such a detailed and informative video, much appreciated. You often hear about soldiers throwing away their gas masks late in the war since they were never used, then carrying other things in the bag. How common do you think this was?

[@RiflemanMoore]

It's talked about a lot, indeed. In reality I don't think it was common if it happened at all. You don't throw away government property when you're the one who ends up paying for it. There are some photos late war showing the respirator haversack dispensed with altogether when street fighting in Germany but in such situation it would almost certainly have been left with the webbing haversack and pack in unit transport, not thrown away.

[@daniellindeboom1530]

Could you do a collection video the background looks stunning

[@RiflemanMoore]

What you can see in the background is part of my friend's collection, the idea of trying to cover it in one video is an impossibility I think!

[@michaelmackenzie790]

Can you show how the Groundsheet and Rain Cape would have been folded for storage under the haversack flap, I've been constantly frustrated trying to get it right. I've managed something that looks the part but would love to know the official method.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm not sure there is an official method for the groundsheet cape but I will look into it.

[@etaylor495]

Same, I've been trying to find this out for ages. The rain cape feels far too chunky to fit but most of the pictures I see show it folded up.

[@hardalarboard8876]

What is the cotton loop for? ive always wondered why its there. (Mk6)

[@kevinofishero]

Brilliant vid.. can you let me know the best place to get a quality reproduction of the gas cape?

[@RiflemanMoore]

The ones we use are from What Price Glory.

[@kevinofishero]

Rifleman Moore Thank you Sir :)

[@lib556]

Interesting. I was wondering, while watching "Journey's End" what the purpose of the whipcord attached to the gas satchel strap was...now I know. Also, I've never actually seen the gas cape unrolled before with it's various features. Thanks.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you found this answered some questions.

[@longrider42]

I have what appear to be two Mark II light weight gas mask bags, but they don't look exactly like the one you have. One is dated 1944, cant read the date of the other one. It has rings on both sides for a shoulder strap, but also has the hooks on back for the 1937/44 belt? A pocket on each side and the fabric is a dark green but smooth, almost like denim. One bag has two little D rings one on each side, back, about half way down, maybe for a cord to wrap around your waist. They where sold as engineering bags but I have come to believe they are some kind of gas mask bag.

[@RiflemanMoore]

They are light anti gas respirator haversacks. Just manufacturing variations. The dark green one you mention sounds like it might be the jungle green version, or possibly post war manufacture when they were made in a slightly darker green material. If you check out my playlist on anti-gas and NBC kit you'll find videos looking at several variations.

[@longrider42]

@@RiflemanMoore Just watched your video on the 1944 light anti gas respirator haversack, and yes mine is dated 1944, and looks like the one in said video. Thanks for the information.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Most welcome, I also have videos on post war light anti gas respirators and haversacks which might be of interest too.

[@davidmoore6197]

I’m getting my kit together for the 80th anniversary of Dunkirk, just wondered if you recommend a particular reproduction make of gas cape ? I would be grateful for any advice. Best wishes Dave Moore

[@RiflemanMoore]

The group I'm with have all used What Price Glory for the time we've been reenacting. There is some debate over green vs. tan colour but I can only advise from my experience and I've always used WPG. The reproduction shown in the video is from WPG, for point of reference.

[@davidmoore6197]

Thank you for your help, very much appreciated as always. Thanks again D.Moore

[@andrewjohnston4127]

Excellent video, you have any info on the gas hoods and how they are used with the gas capes?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Something for a future video perhaps. They were barely used truth be told.

[@allenprior8573]

Gas hoods were only made and used by the Canadians. The British issued a helmet curtain then a full helmet cover.

[@RiflemanMoore]

As Allen says, though I admit I was thinking of the helmet cover and curtain when I replied, confusing the nomenclature.

[@andrewjohnston4127]

I have a hood,Canadian made and nicely marked up.ive never figured out how it's to be worn correctly .got it last year by chance at a militaria show. Got the gas cape on my to buy list so hope to pick one up soon

[@kevinofishero]

Quick question about use...would the gas capes have been carried during the Italian campaign?

[@RiflemanMoore]

They were certainly carried in some instances, yes.

[@allenprior8573]

Yes, they were very commonly worn as waterproof coats.

[@stokesjack]

Are there any places where you can get a reproduction MK6 respirator bag and possibly a reproduction respirator?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I think Soldier of Fortune makes the bags. I'm not aware of anyone manufacturing reproduction respirators.

[@stokesjack]

@@RiflemanMoore ok, thanks

[@etaylor495]

Can you make a video showing how to store a groundsheet in the small pack, particularly the MK VII? I've been trying for a while but I just can't get it to fit.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Absolutely, I'm planning on a video covering that next week.

[@mattmagee180]

Would you do this whilst wareing your full webbing? (1:44)

[@criffermaclennan]

Boil in the bag squaddie in that thing

[@RiflemanMoore]

To a degree certainly, it was a much better waterproof than the groundsheet cape however.

[@SteveMrW]

We, the British certainly like to overcomplicate our kit!

[@RiflemanMoore]

How so?

[@SteveMrW]

@@RiflemanMoore Just my impression of arms out, using string etc. But I suppose that if one was doing it every day it would become second nature.