Favourite WW2 helmet?

What´s your favourite helmet?

Some examples:



The "usual" German



The tropical helmet



Russian helmet



British helmet?



The US helmet?



German Fallschirmjäger

etc...

Or maybe something else?

 

Definately the American helmet. Then I would go for the British airborne helmet.
However, I did like the German spiked helmet in WW1 but thats not WW2 is it .

Jet

[ 24. June 2003, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: Jet ]

 

I like the US helmet, especially certain unit markings, like the "go devils" or the A-A-A-O- design, which I beleive is "anything, anywhere, anytime, bar-none" or something very similar. Besides looking pretty dern cool, the fact that it had a removeable liner and could be used for cooking, digging a foxhole, bathing, or a porta-john makes it the best. Of course the classig german helmet is definetly the most intimidating.

 

I'd want a American helmet if I were in the field because of the reasons Doc mentioned. The German helmet is pretty intimidating. I've never heard anything about Russian helmets, and I've heard that British helmets were crap.

 

I would go for the Russian helmet followed by the German because both give good all vision as well as protection for the back of the neck and ears, at least to a greater degree than the others. I have heared people say that the British helmet was rubbish but it did give good protection from above and to the sides (frankly anything coming in from the sides was going to kill you whatever you wore so the helmet was supposed to protect you from above) the biggest problem was that it had a habit of falling off, obviously the airborn helmet was more comfortable though so I would go for one of those above the standart infantry helmet. I like the US helmet, but I find that they can look really silly at times because of the size, they tend to either look miles too big or miles too small (vain arent I?) these days, though in wartime piccys they look fine. I picked the Russian helmet over the German because when you wear the Russian helmet, you wear a side cap (or Pilotka) underneath which makes it very comfortable but not inclined to fall off, Russian soldiers tended to leave their helmets off though because I have heared they were reguarded as something that 'real men' didnt need. The German helmet comes second because whilst it is intimidating and comfortable, I can't find one that fits right and in the winter they are COLD! Also, if you go prone in a hurry your clothes or pack have a habit of pushing the helmet forward over your eyes and it can be a nightmare to push it back (hense a lot of german soldiers hooked the chin strap up so they could lift the helmet). Oh, there is also the disadvantage that if the rim of the helmet is pulled up it can snap your neck if you are wearing a chin strap... comforting eh?

 

My grandad who was in National Service said that it was very uncomfortable to strap on the helmets so they tended to strap them on the back. I think most people dont like the British helmet because it looks funny. Really the helmet was only useful in WW1, but had little use in WW2. Wonder why they didnt change it ?

 

I'm gonna hafta go with the American M-1 Helmet.


Unlike the British Helmet, it worked.

And unlike the German Helmet, it wasnt that heavy.

PLus it looks better than that Bolo Helmet

CvM

 

Well, around 1944 they did begin using the "turtle" helmet - is was quite a bit "deeper" then the classic tommy helmet. I think it's first use was in limited numbers in normandy. I may be wrong, but I believe the UK used the turtle helmet until the kevlars came out.

 

Bang on doc, the turtle helmet is ok as it protects your neck. Actually I thought the German and US helmets were fairly close in weight, if not then the US one feels heavier. Frankly I find the straps on all helmets irritating and tend to hook em out of the way.

 

I have to go with the German M-35 helmet as my favorite wartime helmet. However--my favorite German helmet is the one that has the cut-outs on the sides--I have 1-2 pics of these in wear by a Cavalry unit--ro I can fairly guess that these helmets with the cut-outs are or can be called Cavalry helmets.

The G.I. steel pot is my next favorite helmet--then I guess the Swiss Helmet.

 

Thanx Doc. I thought the turtle helmet though was mainly used by the Canadians because there was quite a big difference between their helmets and the British helmets.

 

I have seen loads of images of British soldiers wearing turtle helmets, I think they were used on a sort of 'get one if you can' basis.

 

My all time favourite helmet is the 'usual' German helmet. It looks cool, protects a fair bit and really gives that 'hard military man' look when you wear it. My second would be the American M-1 'Steel Pot', it really sums up American military wear I reckon.
My least favourite would be the Belgian one-I saw some mountain troops wearing them-they stick out like proverbials!!! Also, I rather like the AFRIKA KORPS pith helmet, but it was merely a thick cloth design, so, not much protection but looks wise...very schmick...I'm sure those AFRIKA KORPS boys did well with the ladies wearing those ones...

 

German Fallschirmjager helmet.

They provide a secure chinstrap supporting not only the head from underneath the chin, but also with dual support to the back of the head as well by utilizing a "three chin strap" apperatus. Great support when ever one finds themselves jumping from a good old "Tanta Ju" over Eben Emal, or Crete, or running for cover through the hedgerows of Normandy.

Removal of the lower flange, and front brow segments allow for better vision and hearing, with extra foam padding between the shell, and liner, for better fit, and comfort.

Plus, it just looks mean!

Bill

 

Heh, remember, the US Army uses basically the same type of helmet the germans had back then on today's battlefield

 

Has anyone ever seen the US Navy Gunner's helmet? It looks like the gunners on the Death Star - HUGE so the headphones can fit under it.

 

I can't choose over the U.S. M-1. But the "usual" german would be a very close second. The Afrika corps did wear the "usual" just tan instead of grey, right?

 

Hello DB -

Yes, the German forces in Africa did in fact use the standard German steel helmet albeit adjusted to a variety of camoflauged patterns to assist the owner in blending in to the landscape. However, that being said, there are definite and distinct photographs of continental field-gray, and field-blue helmets being worn in Africa, at least early on in 1941-42.

Bill

 

The British did indeed change their helmet design several times during the war. The WW1 style helmet was not in use after 43 due to its ineffectiveness as it was designed for trench warfare, the helmet that replaced it was slightly better giving more protection to the head and neck area.

 

My favourite...

Fallschirmjager and British Para Helmets