Summary: An instructional film on civilian gas warfare, sketching briefly the types of gas, methods of identification, correct use of the respirator and planned Civil Defence procedure in the event of an attack.
Description: The information is passed on informally by the pretext of "sitting in on" a course at Falfield Government School for ARP instructors. After opening with an extract from the end-of-course address ("to know this type of warfare is to defeat it"), the film shows an earlier lecture by a cheerful but effective instructor, who examines types of gas (blister, eye, lung etc); '3S' detection (sight, symptoms, smell); distinctive smells of 7 gases; different models and correct wearing of respirators. He then questions the class on procedure in a gas attack, his questions and their answers providing commentary for staged film of an "incident". The film closes with one of the trainees passing on his new knowledge to a civilian. "Every branch of Civil Defence is ready for gas. Now it is up to you to do your share and be ready for it too."
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
GB Screen Services (Production company)
Searle, Francis A (Production individual)
Harvey, Walter (Production individual)
Douglas, John O (Production individual)
Goodwin, Harold B (Production individual)
Mansell, Enid (Production individual)
Dane, Eric (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Civil Defence Corps (regiment/service)
Keywords: equipment, British civilian - survival: respirator (object name)
propaganda, British - practical (object name)
training, British - specialist: Civil Defence (object name)
GB, England & Falfield, Glos <Government School> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 754 ft; Running time: 8 mins