By June 23, 1943, the bulk of the experimentation was nearing a conclusion and the final pattern for the defining features of an 'assault' mask were realized. Initial MIT concepts for a lightweight "assault" mask with a side-mounted canister ranged from the creative to the bizarre. Many unique concepts came of MIT's experiments in effort to develop an American side-canister mask, but ultimately one would go on to be developed and adopted as the E6-3-7 Army Assault Gas Mask in 1943, filling the gap for a compact, lightweight mask to be used by amphibious landing teams and paratroopers alike during the upcoming Operation Overlord. Taking note of this, the CWS established a research division at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1942 to develop a mask based off this pattern while utilizing the then-standard M2, M3, and M4 Service Mask Faceblanks. V mould was used to create a much more serviceable Mk. Later, the General Service Respirator Mk. I, which took the profile of the Civilain Duty Respirator, but successfully mounted a small 60mm-threaded replaceable drum canister on the side of the facepiece. In 1941, the British had finalized what would become the Light Anti-Gas Respirator Mk. had dabbled with masks that had canisters mounted in the chin position, but did not hold them to high regard given the inconveniences noticed wearing the mask while lying prone or crawling. Most of these concepts varied from novel at best to bizarre and impractical at worst, because, at the time, it seemed inconceivable for the American Chemical Warfare Service to develop a mask whose canister was mounted directly to the side of the facepiece without causing leaks. Since the late 1920s, one of the ultimate goals of the American Chemical Warfare Service was the procurement of a specialized mask which reduced the overall weight and size to a convenient package without sacrificing protective quality. Edgewood Arsenal (Final Assembly), Assorted Manufacturers (Hardware)
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