16th (Irish) Division Gassed, Battle of Hulluch,

The PH ('Tube') helmet of hood style, made of grey flannel with two metal-rimmed circular-glass eyepieces and a rubber mouthpiece.

The Germans launched chemical (gas) attacks before dawn on 27 April against elements of I (British) Corps including 16th (Irish) Division. The attack was near Hulluch, about 1 mile to the north of Loos in the north of France. The gas and artillery attacks were followed by raids into the British lines. A change in wind direction thwarted a second attack on 29 April when the gas blew back over the German attackers and their front line, inflicting many casualties.

From January 1916 all gas helmets had been dipped in a phenate-hexamine solution (PH) to protect the wearer from the more lethal chemical agents, such as hydrogen cyanide and phosgene. The mix of chlorine with phosgene at Hulluch was so thick and concentrated that it defeated the British Anti-Gas PH (Tube) Helmet. There were unjustified rumours that it was poor gas discipline that had resulted in the the Division's 1,260 gas casualties, but when it was realised that those wearing the Small Box Respirator were better protected, its production was accelerated.

Below - the Small Box Respirator with haversack: © IWM (EQU 3915)