US Army Gas Cape

From the Collection: A Piece of Personal Protection Gear Against Chemical Attacks

After the horror of the Great War, the fear of chemical warfare remained acute around the world. As another global conflict arose in 1939 there was again a fear that such weapons, now more modern and more powerful, would see widespread use, necessitating the issue of protective equipment to soldiers of all the combatant nations.

For the US Army, in addition to gas masks gas capes were issued to infantry, consisting of a cotton wrapped foil pack that could be easily carried in a pocket of the uniform. Contained within was a cape made of treated plastic, mostly in olive drab but with a clear portion for the face, shrouding the soldier to protect him from blister agents. In addition, it could be deployed over the top of a foxhole for a similar effect, in addition to serving as a waterproof liner in that capacity.

A man of the US Army Air Force 353rd Fighter Group deploys a gas cape during a simulated chemical attack

Despite the fears, chemical weapons were never deployed in anger against military targets during the conflict, leaving the use of the covers relegated to drills as well as makeshift waterproof liners.