Civilian defense units donned gas masks as the entire city went through its biggest practice air raid on August 2, 1942. Fifty-eight thousand men and women took part in the 90-minute test as army and navy planes simulated a bomb attack. The control headquarters was located at the Field Artillery Armory, where "incidents" were reported by telephone. Civilian defense workers were dispatched to every section of the city to assist in protecting the population from would-be dangers.

Handwritten on negative: C.D. Gas Masks.
Handwritten on sleeve: World War II - Seattle - civilian defence - gas masks.
Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): June 22, 1942.