The ND Mk III gas mask, following the same design as the
earlier NDO Mark I, was developed in 1942. It was not an
optical mask, but it did have special
elliptically-shaped eyepieces designed to enhance
peripheral vision. This was one of three major
differences between the Mk II and the Mk III; another
was a diaphragm, which allowed the wearer to communicate
while wearing the mask; the third was a filter canister
that was suspended behind the neck, which gave Sailors’
heads more freedom while maneuvering in the lower deck
compartments of a ship or working topside on gun mounts.
The ND Mk III consisted of a rubber face piece, two
glass eyepieces, five adjustment straps, and a chemical
filter connected by a hose on each end to the canister
that rested on the back of the neck. It was outfitted
with a carrier bag and belt. The Mark III was designed
to protect personnel from toxic war gases, vapors, dust
and various types of smoke. The gas mask was a very
important item of equipment, protecting the respiratory
tract, eyes, skin and face by providing a gas-tight seal
against biological and chemical warfare agents. This
protection lasted as long as the canister was
functioning properly and the seal was maintained. It did
not protect the wearer from carbon monoxide, ammonia,
carbon dioxide or tritium. The Mark III was manufactured
in significant numbers, but it was replaced in only two
years by the Mark IV, which was manufactured towards the
end of WWII.
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