Technically the Dräger-Tübben is a rebreather and not a mask but it was used as protective equipment against chemical agents during the First World War.
Overview
The breathing bag is connected to a metal valve system to which the regenerating cartridge and oxygen tank connects on the bottom. The regenerating cartridge directly connected to the breathing hose which led to the mouthpiece to which a nose clip was fixed with a string to prevent inhaling toxic gasses through the nose. The equipment could be hanged from the neck by leather straps on the chest.
It weighs 4,5kg and can provide oxygen for 45 minutes in a calm state while only for 20 minutes during hard physical work.
History
It was designed in 1913 by Dräger and was issued just before the war broke out. Originally the device was mostly used by sapper and pioneer branches to protect themselves during fortress sieges or undermining where CO (and CO2) threat is very high.
WWI
- Germany:
Deutsches Heer (Imperial German Army)
Mostly used by sapper, pioneer branches and by the navy. But at the start of the chemical war, the operators of the gas tanks used these as well.
- Austria-Hungary:
Kaiserlich und Königlich Armee (Austro-Hungarian Royal Army)
One of many K.u.K. rebreathers, used as M.14 or 14M first it was issued to sapper and pioneer branches but after the first gas attacks these were used for protection against chemical agents and later was replaced wit K.u.K. GM15 and later with M.17/17M masks in the regular infantry.
WWI (special variant)
A different variant of the Dräger-Tübben with a smaller cartridge and oxygen tank was used by some countries listed below:
- Italy:
Regio Esercito Italiano (Italian royal Army)
Probably used by sapper and pioneer branches.
- Belgium:
Defensie/La Défense (Belgian Army)
Used in low numbers early on in the war.
After WWI
- Hungary:
Magyar Királyi Honvédség (Hungarian Royal Army)
After the war, the Hungarian army continued to use the rebreather with its orignal designation (14M) and stayed in service until 1945.
- Netherlands
Koninklijke Landmacht (Royal Netherlands Army)
Both the army and the navy used it, sometimes with Leder B-Maske.
- Yugoslvia:
Jugoslovenska vojska (royal Yugoslav army)
Used the rebreather with M-23 facepieces.
Photos
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