How to Fit a Gas Mask

1939
Sound
2m

Matter-of-fact wartime instruction in how to fit your gas mask efficiently - leaving no margin for error.

This no-nonsense public information film imparts a direct message from the government about something that affected everybody's daily life in wartime - how to wear a gas mask correctly and the need to always have it with you. Precise instructions are imparted in a necessarily urgent manner, with no room for frills.

'Fillers' like this were used to plug holes in the cinema programme and were originally created by the Ministry of Information to quickly spread knowledge, civil defence intelligence or policies to the cinemagoing public.

A demonstration of the correct way to put on and remove gas masks.

Life Under Fire

The horror of Luftwaffe bombs coloured daily life in Britain's cities and beyond, and war brought myriad daily hardships besides. But Britain could take it!

The Blitz receded after May 1941, but even after the Battle of Britain, the nation faced a barrage of incendiary bombs, V-1s and V-2s. While young men fought Axis powers across three continents, their families listened anxiously to the wireless, while many worried too about children far from home. But in the face of the destruction, sirens, blackouts and hours in shelters, the now-legendary 'Blitz spirit' kept despair at bay. Britain held her nerve thanks to mutual support, defiance and wit - plus a good grumble and as many cups of tea as rationing allowed.