LW Tragetasche für Gasmaske Filter Einsatz (LW Spare gasmaskfilter carrying pouch)

With the development of poisonous gasses used as offensive weapons in WWI appropriate defensive gasmasks also had to be developed. The German WWI M1915 and M1917 gasmasks evolved into the Reichswehr era M24 gasmask and eventually into the M30 and M38 gasmasks used in WWII. All German Army personnel were issued with a gasmask, carrying canister and accessories and were required to have it readily available at all times. An essential component of the issued gasmask’s was the breathing filter which was screwed onto the alloy snout of the masks to filter out any contaminating agents. The filters came in four slightly different assorted models and spare filters were issued with a dedicated carrying pouch to be fitted on the weight carrying waist belt. Although the use of chemical warfare agents was considered by the German OKW, (High Command of the Armed Forces), fear of the Allies retribution forced them to reconsider and shelf the idea. Fear of the potential use of chemical warfare agents made the gasmask and canister a constant companion of the German soldier through-out the war.