Why did people carry gas masks with them in Australia in World War Two?
On 19 February 1942 Darwin was bombed for the first time by the Japanese. An invasion seemed likely and people prepared themselves for the possibility of bombing raids on all Australian cities. Air raid shelters were built in all cities and towns and gas masks were issued just in case the Japanese used chemical weapons. Although the Japanese bombed or shelled places as far south as Learmonth in Western Australia and Sydney in New South Wales, no chemical weapons were used and the Australian population never needed to use the gas masks. You can read about the development of the gas mask and view some pictures at http://en.wikipedia.
Related Questions
- Ive heard that people living in Israel carry masks for protection against terrorism. Should I purchase a mask or respirator for protection against terrorism?
- Why does My Chemical Romance have people wear gas masks in their music videos?
- Why did people carry gas masks with them in Australia in World War Two?
