“weather forecasting on the front” (the air pressure and wind direction were very important measurements to determine the effectiveness of a gas attack).“exercises for handling of gas masks and oxygen-protection devices”.Week long class schedules with subjects including:.Draft of an instructional sheet “Gas Defense in the Trenches” listing instructions to prepare for an attack including “The sentry must also look out for suspicious odors” and “protect the telephone device.”.Sabersky’s identity card for his instructor position.Stunned by their overwhelming outcome of the attack, the Germans tentatively advanced, losing an opportunity to exploit their success. There was no technology to protect the soldiers from this new weapon an operational gas mask was not available, so the Allied soldiers improvised with linen masks soaked in water and “respirators” made from lint and tape. This was the first effective use of poison gas on the Western Front and the debut of Germany’s newest weapon in its chemical arsenal, chlorine gas, which irritated the lung tissue causing a choking effect that could cause death.Ī British officer described the effect of the gas on the French colonial soldiers: “A panic-stricken rabble of Turcos and Zouaves with gray faces and protruding eyeballs, clutching their throats and choking as they ran, many of them dropping in their tracks and lying on the sodden earth with limbs convulsed and features distorted in death.” The attack forced two colonial French divisions north of Ypres from their positions, creating a 5-mile gap in the Allied line defending the city. a wave of asphyxiating gas released from cylinders embedded in the ground by German specialist troops smothered the Allied line on the northern end of the Ypres salient, causing panic and a struggle to survive a new form of weapon. The mount for the gas mask was graciously prepared by the conservator at The Rooms Provincial Museum.On Apat 5 p.m. The display was created and installed by Melissa Glover, Archival Assistant at the Faculty of Medicine Founders’ Archive in the Health Sciences Library. The display is located on the second floor of the Medical Education Centre, Faculty of Medicine, at Memorial University. Macpherson as well as a biographical sketch, excerpts from his notebooks, and photographs of Dr. This display pictured above features an exact replica of the gas mask created by Dr. He was demobilized on 9 September 1919 at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was appointed a member of the first War Office Committee on poisonous gases, and also director of medical services for Newfoundland during World War I. Macpherson returned to Newfoundland in October 1916, after being injured in Egypt. While in Gallipoli, he designed the first gas mask, which he fashioned out of a German helmet.ĭr. He became an advisor on poisonous gas, which the Allies feared Germany might be ready to use. He served in France, Belgium, Egypt, Salonica, and was eventually transferred to Gallipoli. Macpherson first enlisted on 21 September 1914 at the rank of Captain. Cluny Macpherson, Principal Medical Officer, 1 st Newfoundland Regiment, invented the gas mask during World War I (1914-1918).ĭr.
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