Figure 1.--Here are some of the Czech gas masks sold to the French just before the Germans invased and occupied their country (March 1939). The press caption read, "200,000 Czechoslovak gas-masks distributed in Paris: Two hundred thousabd gas-masks, most of which were bought by the French Government from Czechoslovakia after the September [Munich] crisis, have been distributed to the population of six Paris districts. Paris air raid precautions officials chose the districts by drawing from a hat. They are the most crowded areas. A small boy having his gas-mask fitted at a distribution centre in Paris." The photograph is dared March 9, 1939.

Czechoslovakia among the small countries in Europe appear to have given the most attention to possible gas attack. Bordering Germany, officials were especially fearful of gas aqnd other aerial attack. And they were determined to fight counting on support from Britain and France. Part of their preparationd to defend their country was to produce a substantial number of gas masks. The Czechs could not match the Germans in aircraft production which was expected to be the primary delivery method. We do not have any information about Czech production of chemical weapons. We do know, however, that the Czechs did produce gas masks in large numbers. We think that the masks were primarily for the Czech Army, b\not civilians. After Munich, however, the Czechs realized that without the Sudetenland and British and French support, their country could not be defended. As a result, the Czechs began selling their gas masks to the French which had begun to realize that war was inevitable and the possibility of Luftwaffe gas attacks becoming increasingly possible. Shortly after the sale of gas masks to the French, the Germans invaded. In the end, the Czechs were the Hitler's first non-German target, disregarding explicit assurances given to British Prinemiminister Chamberlain. The Czechs were thus the first non-German to experience German invasion and occupation (March 1939). The Germans seized the stocks of gas masks not sold to the French. We are not sure yet wshat was done with them.

Created: 4:43 AM 6/2/2013
Last updated: 10:00 PM 6/2/2013