Défense Passive

The French Air-Raid Precaution

& Civil Defence Organisation

In common with all European nations during the 1930s, the French created a Civil Defence Force. The concept was to train and prepare for the protection of the civilian population in the eventuality of war, specifically to counter the threats of gas and bombing. The French Government issued an information leaflet to the population detailing the potential hazards and recommending effective counter-measures. Additionally to this the Government also issued every member of the population with their own gas mask which was an adaptation of the standard military issue of the time. The French Government were also supplying the Czech nation with gas masks up until the German occupation in 1938.

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Pre-War Défense Passive Government Information Leaflet