@@chrisazure1624 Important to place it all in context.. were there times where there was outright running?... yes,.. were there times when there was incredible broken ground that necessitated walking and stumbling?... yes.... watch the "Battle of the Somme" for its 'authentic' scenes... plenty of open grassy fields to run as fast as you can across....
@britishmuzzleloaders I will watch it (1916?), but I suspect very little open ground that wasn't cratered and trecherous. I'm sure the desire was to sprint across, but combat effectiveness also had to be maintained. You didn't want to jump into an enemy trench out of breath. But I am sure adreneline would have helped. I just can't imagine the horrors of war. Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.
@@chrisazure1624 You'll be surprised.. There were certainly parts of the Western Front that were turned into the stereotypical mud and crater filled no man's land, but that really only happened in places after prolonged shelling... and little movement... Look at the pictures of the Ypres salient before Passchendaele and you will be surprised how much vegetation and undisturbed ground there was... Nearly all of no mans land on the 1st of July 1916 was undisturbed....
Dad served in the 2Nd New Zealand Expedion forces in WW2 ,he somehow managed to keep his service rifle No 4 lee enfield ,when he died we put it in his coffin with him as he tresured that rifle and Dad would have a nice .303 to take to Vahalla with him .And it had a full mag and anothjer 10 rounds i9n his pocket
Anyone who has ever had to fire/maneuver with a gas mask on had flashbacks watching your video. We do completely empathize with your pain and understand that you go way above and beyond to keep history alive.
Your effort, research, and talent to convey the actual direct impact on a WW I soldier's performance is impressive. So often you read that gas masks were a bitch then, but you show exactly how and why, as well as how iterations rated. Thank you.
Now i know what a "window licker" is. If its any consolation doing a similar course in a s6 respirator and a l1a1 was just as much a nightmare back in the good old 80's
@@SamGray I had those clip-in lenses that didn't sit right, AND after two minutes the sweat is dribbling down the prescription lenses. Basically worthless! 😄
Man, seeing you do all this, in costume.. FULL costume.. everything. Man, I am ALWAYS blown away! This one especially. Somehow, I wish I could find you a reusable reproduction Mills Bomb thingy that discharges a bit of smoke, just because I think it'd look cool. Airsofters have stuff like that, why not you?
@@britishmuzzleloaders Dude, you deserve to have full sponsorship for every wonderful historical thing. Fully paid for, all you have to do is educate and entertain. As it is? I love every second of what you put out. Keep being awesome, sir.
Thanks for giving us a demonstration of what its like to wear and fight in the early gas masks used in WW1.One key benefit to the SBR you left out, or maybe you mentioned it in part one, is the ability to wear a helmet. A helmet is a critical piece of protective equipment for when exploding artillery shells are sending everything flying into the air.
@@britishmuzzleloaders Yeah, those old Brodie helmets offered little side protection but did provide protection from things raining down from shell explosions.
Remarkable, what a slog! I have been told that gas should be seen less as a weapon, per se (i.e., an attempt to cause real causalities), although it certainly did work that way to an extent, but rather as an area denial weapon that is primarily intended to degrade the ability of troop to operate. This video really makes that plain. I wonder if wiping your eyes and face with the mask as you had to in a real gas environment would allow some of the chemical that had soaked into the fabric of the mask would get into your eyes. Thank you very much for taking the time and considerable trouble to explore this rather obscure facet of historical shooting.
As much as gas equipment in its infancy, I more marvel at the concept of open knees in warfare. The Greeks may have had to, but the Highlanders chose to.
Peeking over the parapet is also known as gophering over the parapet. Those of you with time in a cube farm like me will get the reference. An environment with it's own dangers and traps that can be just as fatal to your job as the trenches were 100+ years ago. Good show.
Those first two hoods, I wasnt familiar with and to learn that the "filtration" is soaking/ wetting the fabric sure makes me appreciate the old M17A1 a lot more (even though it sucks, especially filter changes lol). That's basically like water boarding yourself going into combat.... holy moly I was empathizing with you during all your experiment, that was a ton of work. Surely helps us appreciate what those men experienced.
35:20 in Western nation's conflicts, many other conflicts saw the use of Chemical munitions. The port of Bari was bombed in 1943 by the German air force, and a shipment of American mustard gas bombs was destroyed releasing the lethal agent underwater and exposing hundreds of US and UK sailors to the deadly gas. The Japanese made extensive use of Chemical and biological munitions during their wars of conquest against the typically poorly equipped Chinese. A number of colonial conflicts saw the use of chemical munitions both anti personnel (definitely illegal) and anti plant (dubiously legal). The Italians made extensive use of Gas during their invasion of Ethiopia. The Iran-Iraq war saw extensive use of chemical weaponry, one of the larger causes of Coalition forces using chemical protective suits during the various invasions of Iraq, modern agents requiring full body protection rather than just a mask. An unnammed Eastern European conflict has seen limited use of non lethal chemical agents used in combat conditions from both sides of the conflict, with one side's propagandists frequently calling for Chemical troops to 'execute their tasks'
While it's certainly obvious when you think about it, about how much of a hindrance the equipment was to mobility, it's something I've never considered. That, personally, adds to the the sense of horror that an assault must have been. The sense of urgency to close the distance, but the inability to do so, all the while shrouded in gas, and bombs, and bullets...
Years of interest in the Great War and it never occurred to me that you can’t see your feet in a gas mask, which is a major issue in traversing rough terrain.
My only experience with a gas mask was in the early 1980's in the UK while playing soldiers at university in the OTC. A couple of training weekends involved using NBC kit complete with respirator. If you were doing nothing, just sitting around, the kit wasn't too bad. Actually indulging in any form of activity was horrible, breathing was difficult, even just jogging was extremely tiring, and visibility through the respirator was very limited as things fogged up. Everyone was very happy to get the kit off at the end of the day and retire to the mess for drinkies. I can't imagine what it must have been like to actually try and fight in WWI era kit.
I think this was the best simulation you could come up with without being in the actual war. It really highlights just how hard it was for those men to move and see let alone while being fired at and engaging people trying to kill you.
the ground is probably as close to actual no mans land as you could have gotten to it!! wonder how the anti mustard gas gear would affect your aim and how much heat stress/illness it caused troops back then?
Great stuff once again Rob. Having carried out this type of training in modern respirators I can fully appreciate the effort and commitment this filming has taken and exactly the respiratory distress you have faced in these older systems. The mental effort to steady one's breathing under exertion and NOT get into a flap and rip the damned thing off is something that those who have not used this type of equipment, old or new, think they can imagine but few other experiences are comparable. Doing it whilst carrying out the principles of marksmanship is something that few can manage. Having the hood and eyepiece not turn with your head must be a whole new level of emb*ggeration. Thank you for your efforts and superb presentation.
I have only donned a gas mask for training, and it was a true pain in the butt. And it was a modern mask. I had some fogging on the lenses,so aiming a rifle and performing tasks in combat would have been hell for sure. Thanks for this informative demonstration, Rob.
I loved this. I have never seen anyone try to shoot and navigate 'under fire' with WW! / WW2 equipment. This looks hard from the outside and now looks hard from the inside, A Patreon and this is why.
You did say wait for the second episode for the truly miserable implications of trying to soldier using that kit, you were right.. Utterly grim pieces of kit to counter the even more grim gas threat.
I can bet. It's absolutely on point to have done it as it's very much in the spirit of your excellent channel, but ye gods it looked hard.@@britishmuzzleloaders
My thoughts are with the brave men who fought wearing these awful masks or respirators. Being shot at and walking through gas clouds. Thank you for the wonderful experiment.
Interest project mate. The broken ground added to the assault and your experience. In regard to your feet, likely experience of doing this in drills might reduce the problem of having to look at your foot fall all the time, in Skiing I have found as I improved my need to look at my skis was no longer needed as much as I turn or get into trouble..😮….. just a thought. Great video.
I could see the Hypo hood as an acceptable stopgap to allow troops to stand firm in the face of a gas attack, but to actually conduct an assault in one? Crossing rough terrain and getting stuck in with blades and rifle butts while effectively waterboarding yourself? Unimaginable, seeing your demonstrations only begins to illustrate what was asked of these men.
I was going to say something similar - having to perform while waterboarding yourself. Better than being gassed (although I'm not sure how much filtering versus just restricting of inhalation the hoods offered). It really helps realise how much of an effect working with the various equipment had. Might be interesting seeing these versus the effect working in the German mask or the later light anti-gas respirator ... or even a modern respirator - I know breathing and seeing out of the bloody things isn't as easy as people think.
I have always been interested in 20th century history, particularly 1st and 2nd WW. This is the first time I have ever seen someone do a proper look into this topic, and therefore I have to say a very honest heartfelt thanks. Your suffering, trying to breathe without fighting for your life, was more than real enough for us to get a glimpse of the hell those men went through to fight. My (account) picture is from when I proudly planted poppies at in the moat at "The Tower of London" in 2014, for the allied men lost in WW1. One last note, I was privileged to visit "The Royal Hospital" in Chelsea (The Chelsea Pensioners) many, many times in the early 1990's and got to speak with veterans of the 1st WW. My biggest regret is not having a recorder with me at the time, but I do remember sharing wonderful times with them and their laughter.
Would love to see you attempt to do a modern assault rifle qualification with an Enfield or even a Martini-Henry, just to see how they stack up today to a select fire weapon
No wonder the various militaries of the world say that a soldier in NBC (gas) equipment loses 50% of their efficiency. Even in basic when I was trained to use the NBC kit, I don't think it was as bad as you showed. Then again, I didn't use it on an assault course as you did!
The effort you put into making these videos is outstanding. (perhaps next time instead of using rocks in lieu of grenades you could go to the cookhouse and get some potatoes! 😄)
Superb and thank you. Great viewing, invaluable info. Extremely realistic.That must have been really hard work, X3, being the different masks. Could i suggest following 1 Countries Gas Equipment through to as modern as possible/weapons allow? At least through to the 70/80's where a L1A1 or equivalent could be used? Possibly beyond your timeline but what a series/playlist that would be. As far as i know, not yet replicated on any channel. Possibly try to get other "Channels" involved where your speciality/equipment ends in a timeline and they continue? My personal experience was with a S6 respirator with a L1A1 SLR that i could not even locate the target let alone fire at it at 300. Moved to a S10 with said rifle and could still not hit F**k all. That's generally 1980's British Army marksmanship, 30 year old worn out rifles not going to be replaced because the L81 was on its way....YAY.
There's all kinds of projects that Gas equipment could factor in to... but as far as actual use, the Great War is where it has to be... besides, can't own an SLR....
Very well done and quiet interesting. Thanks for sharing and a great inspiration. Well, at some point I would like to do something similar only on horse and doing things with the lance while I am wearing the different gas masks which the germans had. Greetings from the cavalry!
In terms of speed of movement the general orders were "no running" (officially anyway) so you've managed to be Correct to the orders of the general staff of the period by accident!
Great series of videos, encapsulated why attacks / assaults could/ did break down so quickly. Graphically illustrated why battlefield reconstructions are vital to a full understanding of combat/ warfare. Hate to put you through further tortures but perhaps you might consider exploring the difficulties / exigencies of night combat / early hours assault, attack and defence? From early flintlock (Heights of Abraham assault - Badajoz) through 19th century (Sebastopol assaults) to WW1 trench raids (firing under flare light - small drone with suitable light as substitute flare?), early morning fog / gas (German 1918 offensive) to WW2 full on night assaults - 2nd Alamein, Normandy, Walcheren. There is also the famous Canadian defence at Kapyong (day / night battle) during the Korean War. The terrain you do your live fire evolutions and re-enactments is a very good match for that battle. There are also the enumerable Jungle night actions (are you allowed to fire live rounds in the surrounding woodland - substitute jungle?) against the Imperial Army of Japan (Burma). Japanese ‘Red Books’ on Japanese night assault tactics are of great interest. Sorry Rob, a huge swathe of military firearms history there but it would give you the opportunity to use the full spectrum of your armoury again; lighting, safety, regulatory requirements and financial costs (contribute to of course) notwithstanding. 😊
I don't really know if the US Army did this type pf training as an official course or fire after WWI? The US Army had it's official rifle marksmanship qualification course but I think they had gas firing or using protective mask firing exercises on a different course of firing after qualification. This was implemented I think during and after WWI through this time. I remember after standard range qualifications during Army Basic Training that we were to fire an "NBC Familiarization Course", but that did not officially count as qualification. It was difficult shooting with the protective mask respirator and hit targets with awkward shooting sight picture and position firing with an M16A1, A2, and M4. The M1 Garand and M14 had the same battle sight picture using a rear peep sight at the rear.
Hi there. As mentioned in the video, the inspiration was taken from an American publication which dealt with infantry tactics… the American Army was completely unprepared for war on the western front and they borrowed and begged all the leading edge tactical knowledge from the BEF and the French. Did they set up practices like this? Maybe. There was the official qualifications and then there were other schemes and range work done at battleschools and the like to further develop the men’s personal skills.
Just got round to watching this. Excellent and informative as always. I do worry about injury though, Rob. You're not a 19 year old Nova Scotian recruit and bounding over such ground with a gas mask on could result in a nasty break. Do you know how long it takes old farts like us to recover from a broken ankle? Please take care. I would like to thank you for both these videos, they are the sort of experimental archaeology that our professional historians should be doing but rarely do! You're definitely worth the few quid a month I send on Patreon!
Regarding how disruptive gas equipment was to offensive action, be it restricted breathing, limited visibility, and more, there came to be a serious argument to only use gas shells against enemy artillery where its disruptive effect was greater and it wouldn't so hinder the offense.
You think of maybe gettig some airsoft gernades? Theres some nice alternatives out there that should give a safe to use effect as long as you have some kind of eyepro.
Throughout the history of firearms, it took approximately 1000 rounds expended to kill a single man. The first demonstration shows part of the reason why.
I suspect that a mica lens might be even worse than plastic, given the microscopic surface differences between mica and plastic, also it would be very prone to cracking. Being stable it's am excellent gas proof barrier but it would have been pretty fragile, easy to craxk when wiping against your forehead
Good Evening Sir, Nice Tattoo on your Right Outside Lower leg at 5:17 😇👍OUTSTANDING Sound Effect 🥴👍I was almost going down on the floor 🤣👍You Did take some risk of Rebounds shooting at 20 feets Infront of you 🥴You are a pretty Good Sharpshooter Sir👍🧐👌Yes Shooting With Modern Gas Mask Is Not An Easy Walk In The Park But Light Years Much Easier and Better Than These That You Have Try Sir 👍👌😇Great Detail Post After Mission Report Sir 🧐🧐👌👌👍👍You Have Made AN OUTSTANDING INFORMATIVE VIDEO and Full Field TESTING and Demos ( Full Watch !!! ) 👍👌😇Thank You Very Kindly Sir for making This TRULY OUTSTANDING Video Sir 👌👍🧐Keep Warm Cheers 🍻🍻
In my experience (US Infantry) shooting in the pro mask (gas mask) required turning your head and pushing the mask into the stock to get a sight picture. The last “mask” you used with the separate eye pieces did you have difficulty getting you head into position for the sight picture? (I get the moisture build up being an issue, it still is) And I love your channel
Thank you kindly! No, positioning the head seemed to be OK... the fact that there is no filter at the side, and that the face piece is overall, of quite low profile probably contributes...
I wonder if men wore bandanas or headbands that could better wipe the lens on those earlier bag-masks. The use of such a thing may not be mentioned in records, for such a short lived version of the gas mask, but men in the field would innovate. Cotton cloth would wipe it clearer than your forehead.
Yeah, unless you found a specific account by a soldier about the use of that type of mask, there is probably only general information surviving. Still, I was watching you and thinking that a cloth cap would help. If I had to wear the damn thing, I likely would have tried it.@@britishmuzzleloaders
I was thinking the same thing. There is no way you could expect your soldiers to run through that type of terrain if they can't see where they are putting their feet.
Can see now why generals went for excessive manpower. If you can't see where you're going or the targets then more men means more lead flying through the air resulting in hopefully more enemy hit .
Frightening. An eloquent description regarding the claustrophobic challenges around this kind of combat. How good did fresh air taste when you took off the hood?
Great video. Until you do it. Its hard to understand how hard and dangerous it is to go over rough terrain at any real speed. I couldn't Imagine Doing this for real, over no man's land.
Not any that I've ever seen... the SBR did have extra fabric on the face piece that allowed for it to be poked in behind the eyepiece for wiping it clear...
No. The helmet had no effect on shooting... That said, perhaps if the wearing of a helmet had been permitted with both the Hypo and PH style hoods (but the Hypo mostly), they would have rotated with the head a bit better as I looked around.. the PH with its mouthpiece assisted this to a degree...
I feel like the regulation that advances across no mans land should be made at a quick walk not the double makes quite a bit more sense after watching this. That goes along with the desire to keep men in order and timing the bombardment of course.
@@britishmuzzleloaders My grand uncle was at the Muese. Medical corps. He caught a lung full of that stuff. Instantly debilitated for the what was left of his life. He didn't make it much past 30 as an invalid cared for by his sister.
How're you doing good sir? I have a question involving researching proofing stamps. I have recently come into possession of a Short Magazine Lee Enfield Mk 1 three star and it is absolutely littered with stampings on either side of the barrel and receiver. I am attempting to research it for my own knowledge and lack a good resource. All appreciation from the mighty state of Texas!
"Welcome to the Salty Spitoon, how tough are you?"
"I do calisthenics in a gas mask"
"yeah, so?"
"Great War Gas Mask"
Haha!
Never thought that a cutover would be a great simulation of battle terrain. But it is about the best analog without actual craters.
It was a pretty good piece of ground for that!
@@britishmuzzleloaders It helped me see it was not a stampede across ooen ground like one scene in 1917, but a careful plod across obstacles.
@@chrisazure1624 Important to place it all in context.. were there times where there was outright running?... yes,.. were there times when there was incredible broken ground that necessitated walking and stumbling?... yes.... watch the "Battle of the Somme" for its 'authentic' scenes... plenty of open grassy fields to run as fast as you can across....
@britishmuzzleloaders I will watch it (1916?), but I suspect very little open ground that wasn't cratered and trecherous. I'm sure the desire was to sprint across, but combat effectiveness also had to be maintained. You didn't want to jump into an enemy trench out of breath. But I am sure adreneline would have helped.
I just can't imagine the horrors of war.
Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.
@@chrisazure1624 You'll be surprised.. There were certainly parts of the Western Front that were turned into the stereotypical mud and crater filled no man's land, but that really only happened in places after prolonged shelling... and little movement... Look at the pictures of the Ypres salient before Passchendaele and you will be surprised how much vegetation and undisturbed ground there was... Nearly all of no mans land on the 1st of July 1916 was undisturbed....
Dad served in the 2Nd New Zealand Expedion forces in WW2 ,he somehow managed to keep his service rifle No 4 lee enfield ,when he died we put it in his coffin with him as he tresured that rifle and Dad would have a nice .303 to take to Vahalla with him .And it had a full mag and anothjer 10 rounds i9n his pocket
Nice!
Anyone who has ever had to fire/maneuver with a gas mask on had flashbacks watching your video. We do completely empathize with your pain and understand that you go way above and beyond to keep history alive.
Cheers! What a horrible existence....
You brought new meaning to the phase "Poor Bloody Infantry ". That was a tough video to do for sure. Thank you for your great efforts!
Cheers!
Your effort, research, and talent to convey the actual direct impact on a WW I soldier's performance is impressive. So often you read that gas masks were a bitch then, but you show exactly how and why, as well as how iterations rated. Thank you.
Cheers!
Mac, you looked miserable when you pulled off that gas hood. I salute your dedication to the test.
It was not a pleasant experience...
Now i know what a "window licker" is.
If its any consolation doing a similar course in a s6 respirator and a l1a1 was just as much a nightmare back in the good old 80's
Haha! I had other things come to mind that aren't suitable for this Channel, but yeah....
I would love to see each stage ran without a gas mask as a control group. Lovely work as always!!!
Time and space, I suppose....
Just started watching, and already I have the impression that with the hypo hood, you’re doing well if your rounds land in the same time zone.
Indeed.
Holy smokes, that looked like an absolutely miserable experience. Especially that first one. Kudos to you for doing it, however.
It was not "fun".....
Definitely tell the effort you put into your content, so good.
**shiver** Remembering marksman training in MOPP gear.
MOPP shooting. The nemesis of the bespectacled.
Ah yes, great memories, the small « combat glasses » strapped to the ears. I got nice scratches from those.
@@nicflatterie7772 Yes, I had those weird clip-in lenses that didn't line up 100% correctly. 😄
@@SamGray I had those clip-in lenses that didn't sit right, AND after two minutes the sweat is dribbling down the prescription lenses. Basically worthless! 😄
Cheers!
Man, seeing you do all this, in costume.. FULL costume.. everything. Man, I am ALWAYS blown away! This one especially.
Somehow, I wish I could find you a reusable reproduction Mills Bomb thingy that discharges a bit of smoke, just because I think it'd look cool. Airsofters have stuff like that, why not you?
I think the main reason may be the fact that he would have to go find it afterwards every time he threw the thing. It'd look cool, though
Maybe I'll get there one day...
@@britishmuzzleloaders Dude, you deserve to have full sponsorship for every wonderful historical thing. Fully paid for, all you have to do is educate and entertain.
As it is? I love every second of what you put out. Keep being awesome, sir.
The looking down was a thing during my service with the swedish M/51 protectionsmask (version of US M9)
Seems to be a recurring thread in their use....
Really appreciate you going through this for us all!
Cheers!
Thanks for giving us a demonstration of what its like to wear and fight in the early gas masks used in WW1.One key benefit to the SBR you left out, or maybe you mentioned it in part one, is the ability to wear a helmet. A helmet is a critical piece of protective equipment for when exploding artillery shells are sending everything flying into the air.
Yes... but really only useful when shrapnel is exploding overhead... what the British helmet was designed for incidentally...
@@britishmuzzleloaders Yeah, those old Brodie helmets offered little side protection but did provide protection from things raining down from shell explosions.
Remarkable, what a slog! I have been told that gas should be seen less as a weapon, per se (i.e., an attempt to cause real causalities), although it certainly did work that way to an extent, but rather as an area denial weapon that is primarily intended to degrade the ability of troop to operate. This video really makes that plain. I wonder if wiping your eyes and face with the mask as you had to in a real gas environment would allow some of the chemical that had soaked into the fabric of the mask would get into your eyes. Thank you very much for taking the time and considerable trouble to explore this rather obscure facet of historical shooting.
More than welcome! It was indeed a slog, but happy to have done it. A very interesting project for sure!
As much as gas equipment in its infancy, I more marvel at the concept of open knees in warfare. The Greeks may have had to, but the Highlanders chose to.
I believe there was such a thing as anti gas knickers, Highlanders for the use of at one time. Or is that just a myth?@@BeingFireRetardant
Equally it degrades troops on both sides.
the bolt movement on that smle looks like a lot of bolt drag and lockup after shooting . good vid
I use cases that are neck sized... and have been used many times over... they tend to get a bit "full" in the chamber over time...
What a torture it must of been dealing with the situations of war
It would have been awful...
Peeking over the parapet is also known as gophering over the parapet. Those of you with time in a cube farm like me will get the reference. An environment with it's own dangers and traps that can be just as fatal to your job as the trenches were 100+ years ago. Good show.
Sure thing!
Those first two hoods, I wasnt familiar with and to learn that the "filtration" is soaking/ wetting the fabric sure makes me appreciate the old M17A1 a lot more (even though it sucks, especially filter changes lol). That's basically like water boarding yourself going into combat.... holy moly
I was empathizing with you during all your experiment, that was a ton of work.
Surely helps us appreciate what those men experienced.
Not the acme of technology, for sure...
35:20 in Western nation's conflicts, many other conflicts saw the use of Chemical munitions. The port of Bari was bombed in 1943 by the German air force, and a shipment of American mustard gas bombs was destroyed releasing the lethal agent underwater and exposing hundreds of US and UK sailors to the deadly gas. The Japanese made extensive use of Chemical and biological munitions during their wars of conquest against the typically poorly equipped Chinese. A number of colonial conflicts saw the use of chemical munitions both anti personnel (definitely illegal) and anti plant (dubiously legal). The Italians made extensive use of Gas during their invasion of Ethiopia. The Iran-Iraq war saw extensive use of chemical weaponry, one of the larger causes of Coalition forces using chemical protective suits during the various invasions of Iraq, modern agents requiring full body protection rather than just a mask. An unnammed Eastern European conflict has seen limited use of non lethal chemical agents used in combat conditions from both sides of the conflict, with one side's propagandists frequently calling for Chemical troops to 'execute their tasks'
Lot's of use in other conflicts.... thankfully not used en masse in another major war....
While it's certainly obvious when you think about it, about how much of a hindrance the equipment was to mobility, it's something I've never considered. That, personally, adds to the the sense of horror that an assault must have been. The sense of urgency to close the distance, but the inability to do so, all the while shrouded in gas, and bombs, and bullets...
Indeed... Horrible times....
Years of interest in the Great War and it never occurred to me that you can’t see your feet in a gas mask, which is a major issue in traversing rough terrain.
Sure is...
Even something like an airsoft mask can cause similar issues. It's not something you think of until you have to deal with it.
As former US Army chemical warfare specialist I loved the historically accurate evaluation of equipment and tactics.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Outstanding video Rob, that looked like it would have sucked
It did.... 😀
Thanks for adding Battlefield 1 operation sounds. Only adds to your attention to detail and production.
Didn't know those were from a game... Cheers!
Your video is too high quality!
I respect your research spirit.
Cheers!
Trying to shoot with these early hoods makes sense as to why trench clubs became so popular. Great videos. 👍
Lots of friction to overcome..
My only experience with a gas mask was in the early 1980's in the UK while playing soldiers at university in the OTC. A couple of training weekends involved using NBC kit complete with respirator. If you were doing nothing, just sitting around, the kit wasn't too bad. Actually indulging in any form of activity was horrible, breathing was difficult, even just jogging was extremely tiring, and visibility through the respirator was very limited as things fogged up. Everyone was very happy to get the kit off at the end of the day and retire to the mess for drinkies. I can't imagine what it must have been like to actually try and fight in WWI era kit.
I imagine that it was a miserable existence while the threat persisted in any given locality...
man, I really need to pickup an SMLE
Yes.
I think this was the best simulation you could come up with without being in the actual war. It really highlights just how hard it was for those men to move and see let alone while being fired at and engaging people trying to kill you.
So many little nuances that came to light during the project for sure...
the ground is probably as close to actual no mans land as you could have gotten to it!! wonder how the anti mustard gas gear would affect your aim and how much heat stress/illness it caused troops back then?
It was pretty broken, for sure!
part two does not disappoint !
Cheers!
Good on you for going through with these exercises. It really looks like a good way to break an ankle and end up with a dozen or so stitches.
Both of which were avoided.... thankfully.
Great stuff once again Rob. Having carried out this type of training in modern respirators I can fully appreciate the effort and commitment this filming has taken and exactly the respiratory distress you have faced in these older systems. The mental effort to steady one's breathing under exertion and NOT get into a flap and rip the damned thing off is something that those who have not used this type of equipment, old or new, think they can imagine but few other experiences are comparable. Doing it whilst carrying out the principles of marksmanship is something that few can manage. Having the hood and eyepiece not turn with your head must be a whole new level of emb*ggeration. Thank you for your efforts and superb presentation.
Cheers Neil! It was certainly an eye-opening project...
Ah! so McKinsey is back for another go with the ol' Gas-Bag on the head.
Yup!
Let nobody say that Rob doesn't suffer for his art!
Haha! I try!
I have only donned a gas mask for training, and it was a true pain in the butt. And it was a modern mask. I had some fogging on the lenses,so aiming a rifle and performing tasks in combat would have been hell for sure. Thanks for this informative demonstration, Rob.
Cheers!
I loved this. I have never seen anyone try to shoot and navigate 'under fire' with WW! / WW2 equipment. This looks hard from the outside and now looks hard from the inside, A Patreon and this is why.
There is a WWII Field Firing video on the Channel if you are interested...
You did say wait for the second episode for the truly miserable implications of trying to soldier using that kit, you were right..
Utterly grim pieces of kit to counter the even more grim gas threat.
Indeed.. Happy to have done the project, but happy to have it be over.
I can bet. It's absolutely on point to have done it as it's very much in the spirit of your excellent channel, but ye gods it looked hard.@@britishmuzzleloaders
I remember seeing that troops were instructed not to run when they were advancing. Kind of makes it real.
That should be taken in the right context.....
Astonishing research. Well done!
Cheers!
My thoughts are with the brave men who fought wearing these awful masks or respirators. Being shot at and walking through gas clouds. Thank you for the wonderful experiment.
Cheers... a horrible experience back then, for sure...
Well, I was going to bed and start the work week off right, and then I saw you posted a new video
You could always use it to put you to sleep....?
Another great video. Hope some day you get to borrow a modern mask for a comparison video.
Maybe...
Very informative and also interesting. Well done and thank you
You are most welcome.
I've worn glasses since I was 5. This was me every Halloween!!😂😂😂. Great video Rob, Thank you!
Haha!
The exhale flappers remind me of Whoopie cushions
Yup!
Interest project mate.
The broken ground added to the assault and your experience.
In regard to your feet, likely experience of doing this in drills might reduce the problem of having to look at your foot fall all the time, in Skiing I have found as I improved my need to look at my skis was no longer needed as much as I turn or get into trouble..😮….. just a thought.
Great video.
There aren't sticks and rocks and ruts on a ski run... 😀
Another Intrasting video !!!
Thanks 😎
Cheers!
I could see the Hypo hood as an acceptable stopgap to allow troops to stand firm in the face of a gas attack, but to actually conduct an assault in one? Crossing rough terrain and getting stuck in with blades and rifle butts while effectively waterboarding yourself? Unimaginable, seeing your demonstrations only begins to illustrate what was asked of these men.
I was going to say something similar - having to perform while waterboarding yourself. Better than being gassed (although I'm not sure how much filtering versus just restricting of inhalation the hoods offered). It really helps realise how much of an effect working with the various equipment had. Might be interesting seeing these versus the effect working in the German mask or the later light anti-gas respirator ... or even a modern respirator - I know breathing and seeing out of the bloody things isn't as easy as people think.
By Loos, the PH hood was in service... not that it was much better....
This was such a good test! Excellent channel! Greetings from Finland!
Cheers!
I have always been interested in 20th century history, particularly 1st and 2nd WW. This is the first time I have ever seen someone do a proper look into this topic, and therefore I have to say a very honest heartfelt thanks. Your suffering, trying to breathe without fighting for your life, was more than real enough for us to get a glimpse of the hell those men went through to fight. My (account) picture is from when I proudly planted poppies at in the moat at "The Tower of London" in 2014, for the allied men lost in WW1. One last note, I was privileged to visit "The Royal Hospital" in Chelsea (The Chelsea Pensioners) many, many times in the early 1990's and got to speak with veterans of the 1st WW. My biggest regret is not having a recorder with me at the time, but I do remember sharing wonderful times with them and their laughter.
Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers! Those stories from the old and bold are never to be forgotten...
Rob, I don't envy you having to cross that Canadian no-man's land. It looks absolutely horrifying!!! ;)
It certainly would have made for an excellent blooper reel had I moved at speed!
thank you for the info!!!
Cheers!
Would love to see you attempt to do a modern assault rifle qualification with an Enfield or even a Martini-Henry, just to see how they stack up today to a select fire weapon
Some practices would be achievable, but in others, a rapid or a multi-round snap would be much more difficult...
@@britishmuzzleloaders I believe in you
Rob needs a knighthood
Haha!
Outstanding video thank you for sharing brother
You are welcome!
Thank you for putting the different funny stuff in your videos and the history of your content
Interesting video, I would have liked to try this myself
It wasn't exactly fun, but a worthwhile experiment!
No wonder the various militaries of the world say that a soldier in NBC (gas) equipment loses 50% of their efficiency. Even in basic when I was trained to use the NBC kit, I don't think it was as bad as you showed. Then again, I didn't use it on an assault course as you did!
Easily, especially once the hard work starts...
The effort you put into making these videos is outstanding. (perhaps next time instead of using rocks in lieu of grenades you could go to the cookhouse and get some potatoes! 😄)
Haha! yes,.. MacKenzie was absent....
So...hell on earth..got it. Good video
Haha! Cheers.
Superb and thank you. Great viewing, invaluable info. Extremely realistic.That must have been really hard work, X3, being the different masks. Could i suggest following 1 Countries Gas Equipment through to as modern as possible/weapons allow? At least through to the 70/80's where a L1A1 or equivalent could be used? Possibly beyond your timeline but what a series/playlist that would be. As far as i know, not yet replicated on any channel. Possibly try to get other "Channels" involved where your speciality/equipment ends in a timeline and they continue? My personal experience was with a S6 respirator with a L1A1 SLR that i could not even locate the target let alone fire at it at 300. Moved to a S10 with said rifle and could still not hit F**k all. That's generally 1980's British Army marksmanship, 30 year old worn out rifles not going to be replaced because the L81 was on its way....YAY.
There's all kinds of projects that Gas equipment could factor in to... but as far as actual use, the Great War is where it has to be... besides, can't own an SLR....
Amazing...
Thank you! Cheers!
Very well done and quiet interesting. Thanks for sharing and a great inspiration. Well, at some point I would like to do something similar only on horse and doing things with the lance while I am wearing the different gas masks which the germans had.
Greetings from the cavalry!
The premise for a great series of videos! Would like to see that!
@@britishmuzzleloaders I'll let you know as soon as I did that. Maybe somewhen during the next year that could happen. :)
I saw your new video after a long time🎉
Thank you.
"sometimes there aren't enough rocks." ... :)
Haha!
That was great!!! Thank you for the work It would be interesting to do with a modern gas mask and then with no gas mask.
Haha! "Do it again!"......
I remember doing nbc training during my infantry training and that was bad enough in a modern resperator it must be awful in that kit you have on!
It was uncomfortable for sure....
In terms of speed of movement the general orders were "no running" (officially anyway) so you've managed to be Correct to the orders of the general staff of the period by accident!
Lots of variation in the attack throughout the war, for sure….
Great series of videos, encapsulated why attacks / assaults could/ did break down so quickly. Graphically illustrated why battlefield reconstructions are vital to a full understanding of combat/ warfare.
Hate to put you through further tortures but perhaps you might consider exploring the difficulties / exigencies of night combat / early hours assault, attack and defence? From early flintlock (Heights of Abraham assault - Badajoz) through 19th century (Sebastopol assaults) to WW1 trench raids (firing under flare light - small drone with suitable light as substitute flare?), early morning fog / gas (German 1918 offensive) to WW2 full on night assaults - 2nd Alamein, Normandy, Walcheren. There is also the famous Canadian defence at Kapyong (day / night battle) during the Korean War. The terrain you do your live fire evolutions and re-enactments is a very good match for that battle. There are also the enumerable Jungle night actions (are you allowed to fire live rounds in the surrounding woodland - substitute jungle?) against the Imperial Army of Japan (Burma). Japanese ‘Red Books’ on Japanese night assault tactics are of great interest.
Sorry Rob, a huge swathe of military firearms history there but it would give you the opportunity to use the full spectrum of your armoury again; lighting, safety, regulatory requirements and financial costs (contribute to of course) notwithstanding. 😊
So many aspects, yes.... need to find a flare gun.... and filming at night can be somewhat problematic... see the Kitcheners Wood video....
I don't really know if the US Army did this type pf training as an official course or fire after WWI? The US Army had it's official rifle marksmanship qualification course but I think they had gas firing or using protective mask firing exercises on a different course of firing after qualification. This was implemented I think during and after WWI through this time. I remember after standard range qualifications during Army Basic Training that we were to fire an "NBC Familiarization Course", but that did not officially count as qualification. It was difficult shooting with the protective mask respirator and hit targets with awkward shooting sight picture and position firing with an M16A1, A2, and M4. The M1 Garand and M14 had the same battle sight picture using a rear peep sight at the rear.
Hi there. As mentioned in the video, the inspiration was taken from an American publication which dealt with infantry tactics… the American Army was completely unprepared for war on the western front and they borrowed and begged all the leading edge tactical knowledge from the BEF and the French. Did they set up practices like this? Maybe. There was the official qualifications and then there were other schemes and range work done at battleschools and the like to further develop the men’s personal skills.
Just got round to watching this. Excellent and informative as always. I do worry about injury though, Rob. You're not a 19 year old Nova Scotian recruit and bounding over such ground with a gas mask on could result in a nasty break. Do you know how long it takes old farts like us to recover from a broken ankle? Please take care.
I would like to thank you for both these videos, they are the sort of experimental archaeology that our professional historians should be doing but rarely do! You're definitely worth the few quid a month I send on Patreon!
Cheers!
Damm good history video 👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Good video
Thanks
Regarding how disruptive gas equipment was to offensive action, be it restricted breathing, limited visibility, and more, there came to be a serious argument to only use gas shells against enemy artillery where its disruptive effect was greater and it wouldn't so hinder the offense.
Lot's of nuance to the use of gas, for sure.
Thanks again
Cheers!
You think of maybe gettig some airsoft gernades? Theres some nice alternatives out there that should give a safe to use effect as long as you have some kind of eyepro.
Perhaps in the future....
17:48 the experience is the same using PVS-7b and PVS-14s.
Cheers!
Throughout the history of firearms, it took approximately 1000 rounds expended to kill a single man.
The first demonstration shows part of the reason why.
Sure thing.
I suspect that a mica lens might be even worse than plastic, given the microscopic surface differences between mica and plastic, also it would be very prone to cracking. Being stable it's am excellent gas proof barrier but it would have been pretty fragile, easy to craxk when wiping against your forehead
It’s what they were able to come up with at the moment…
Good Evening Sir, Nice Tattoo on your Right Outside Lower leg at 5:17 😇👍OUTSTANDING Sound Effect 🥴👍I was almost going down on the floor 🤣👍You Did take some risk of Rebounds shooting at 20 feets Infront of you 🥴You are a pretty Good Sharpshooter Sir👍🧐👌Yes Shooting With Modern Gas Mask Is Not An Easy Walk In The Park But Light Years Much Easier and Better Than These That You Have Try Sir 👍👌😇Great Detail Post After Mission Report Sir 🧐🧐👌👌👍👍You Have Made AN OUTSTANDING INFORMATIVE VIDEO and Full Field TESTING and Demos ( Full Watch !!! ) 👍👌😇Thank You Very Kindly Sir for making This TRULY OUTSTANDING Video Sir 👌👍🧐Keep Warm Cheers 🍻🍻
Thank you!
In my experience (US Infantry) shooting in the pro mask (gas mask) required turning your head and pushing the mask into the stock to get a sight picture. The last “mask” you used with the separate eye pieces did you have difficulty getting you head into position for the sight picture? (I get the moisture build up being an issue, it still is)
And I love your channel
Thank you kindly! No, positioning the head seemed to be OK... the fact that there is no filter at the side, and that the face piece is overall, of quite low profile probably contributes...
I wonder if men wore bandanas or headbands that could better wipe the lens on those earlier bag-masks. The use of such a thing may not be mentioned in records, for such a short lived version of the gas mask, but men in the field would innovate. Cotton cloth would wipe it clearer than your forehead.
Never seen or read of any evidence of such...
Yeah, unless you found a specific account by a soldier about the use of that type of mask, there is probably only general information surviving. Still, I was watching you and thinking that a cloth cap would help. If I had to wear the damn thing, I likely would have tried it.@@britishmuzzleloaders
So "getting out of the trenches and walking slowly towards the enemy" . is actually pretty reasonable.
I was thinking the same thing. There is no way you could expect your soldiers to run through that type of terrain if they can't see where they are putting their feet.
Would have been difficult for sure!
From the backside you looked like old mad granny when you ran to that field.
I felt like one.....
Can see now why generals went for excessive manpower. If you can't see where you're going or the targets then more men means more lead flying through the air resulting in hopefully more enemy hit .
4/5ths of the battle was just getting to where you needed to be... let alone fighting anyone on the way...
Is that Battlefield 1 gameplay as a background sound?
No idea....
I hate to tell you but modern gasperators don’t allow you to look down with out actually looking down either
Sure thing.
Frightening. An eloquent description regarding the claustrophobic challenges around this kind of combat. How good did fresh air taste when you took off the hood?
Oh, so good!
Great video. Until you do it. Its hard to understand how hard and dangerous it is to go over rough terrain at any real speed. I couldn't Imagine Doing this for real, over no man's land.
Indeed!
Out of curiosity, is there any evidence of troops wearing some sort of sweatband/headband which could be used to wipe the inside of the lens'?
Not any that I've ever seen... the SBR did have extra fabric on the face piece that allowed for it to be poked in behind the eyepiece for wiping it clear...
Do you think that the differences observed between the PH hood and the SBR could be somewhat explained because you wore a helmet with the latter?
No. The helmet had no effect on shooting... That said, perhaps if the wearing of a helmet had been permitted with both the Hypo and PH style hoods (but the Hypo mostly), they would have rotated with the head a bit better as I looked around.. the PH with its mouthpiece assisted this to a degree...
Nice video, but i have a question, i am working on a ww2 canadian impression and i was just wondering where you got your mk2 brodie helmet?
EBay
I feel like the regulation that advances across no mans land should be made at a quick walk not the double makes quite a bit more sense after watching this. That goes along with the desire to keep men in order and timing the bombardment of course.
As quickly as circumstances will allow...
What a horrible, horrible mess. So macabe that even Hitler forbid a repeat. That's saying something.
Indeed.
@@britishmuzzleloaders My grand uncle was at the Muese. Medical corps. He caught a lung full of that stuff. Instantly debilitated for the what was left of his life. He didn't make it much past 30 as an invalid cared for by his sister.
I think a very real representation of what the assault would have been like apart from NO people around you getting shot!!!
Well, maybe just a tiny part of it....
Sorry if it's been asked before, but when will you post the videos you did with Othias and May from C&Rsenal?
The first Bren Episode is next up...
@@britishmuzzleloaders huzzah!
@@britishmuzzleloaders I really hope you get to do stuff with them again, the banter between you guys is hilarious.
How're you doing good sir? I have a question involving researching proofing stamps. I have recently come into possession of a Short Magazine Lee Enfield Mk 1 three star and it is absolutely littered with stampings on either side of the barrel and receiver. I am attempting to research it for my own knowledge and lack a good resource. All appreciation from the mighty state of Texas!
Skennerton's Lee enfield book is a goto for that sort of thing...
@@britishmuzzleloaders I deeply appreciate your help sir, I wasn't aware of where to look.