Sya Raihan Heggi

 


Produced from November, 1943, the MKIII helmet was first issued to assault troops of the British 3rd Infantry Division and Canadian army personnel in time for the Invasion of Normandy (often referred to as the 1944 pattern helmet). Although this helmet was to replace the MKII, substantial quantities of the older helmet remained in service even after the end of the Second World War. The MkIII retained a lining system that was fixed by a single screw through the crown, the later MK IV type featured one that was detachable by a 'lift the dot' principle. This modification meant that the basic steel helmet shell could be used as a basin if required, if indeed it was at all. Later, from 1959, a different type of lining system was adopted, replacing the familiar black oilskin cloth and rubber pattern, being replaced with a three part liner. The three-part consisted of a flexible multi-armed orange-brown fibre cradle, a sponge-lined crown, and an elasticated khaki stocking. When assembled, the stocking fitted over the sponge crown which in turn was connected to the cradle by press-studs, the cradle then pressed onto an inverted post located at the centre of the helmet shell via a sprung 'lift the dot' metal fixing. This system was the last in a long line of uncomfortable liners used by the British Army and possibly the worst. Those that wore the helmet have unhappy memories of it bouncing on the wearer's head when running and of the constant itching to the scalp that was caused by the sponge and elasticated stocking liner as it rubbed on the head. However, despite its problems the helmet remained with all three Services and was used until finally replaced by the GS Combat Helmet in the mid-1980s.

 The Mark III helmet was designed to provide better protection for the side of the head than its predecessor. It was a deeper helmet with a smaller brim and provided 38% more protection than the Mark II, particularly at the sides. The Mark III helmet was issued primarily to assault troops for the Normandy invasion in June 1944, and a large number of helmets from British stocks were issued to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in addition to British units. Small numbers also went to the 2nd and 4th Canadian Divisions. All Mark III helmets in Canadian stores were returned to the UK shortly after the end of the Second World War. 


Reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mk_III_helmet
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30101243

First German Imperial Army Use Pickelhaube  (1842-1916)





















Was Designed in 1842 By King Frederick Willian IV Of Prussia,It is not clear whether this was a case of imitation, parallel invention, or if both were based on the earlier Napoleonic cuirassier. The early Russian type (known as “The Helmet of Yaroslav Mudry”) was also used by cavalry, which had used the spike as a holder for a horsehair plume in full dress, a practice also followed with some Prussian models
Design German Pickelhaube
German Army were standard prior to 1914, but the basic construction of the infantry Pickelhaube was an exception. There are three main leather parts of the helmet; a basic shell with a front and rear visor, that are sewn on. The shell was formed by pressing a piece of steamed leather through a large mould. The helmet was then covered in many layers of black lacquer until it could be polished to a bright finish. The helmet had two brass renforcing trim pieces, at the front visor and a brass spine at the rear of the helmet. The front of the helmet is covered with a large gilded brass helmet plate. Guard regiments, train battalion units, and Bavarian Pioneers, had silver plated helmet fittings and related trim to distinguish them from the ‘line’ regiments. Each German Kingdom, Dukedom, Earldom, Free City, etc., had it’s own unique helmet plate. A full description of all the different helmet plates would, and does, make a very thick book. This discussion is limited to the basic ‘line’ infantry enlisted man’s helmet of 1895, and wartime changes up to 1916. The drawing below, illustrates the basic details of the 1895 model line infantry helmet.







 Bavarian Pickelhaube A standard Bavarian line infantry helmet, 1895 model, in rough condition. In 1886, Bavaria adopted the Pickelhaube, the last German State to do so. The kokade on the right side is the German Reich kokade. Black, white, red, were the national colors of Germany. The kokade on the left is the Bavarian Land kokarde. White, blue, white, were the State colors of Bavaria. Each German State had their own unique color scheme for the Land kokade, and unique helmet plate. The gilded brass plate on the helmet bears the Bavarian State coat of arms supported by two lions, and the State motto, In Treue Fest (In Loyalty Steadfast). The inside of the rear visor is stamped ‘15 I.R.‘, indicating the 15th Bavarian infantry regiment, the regimental number is embossed, and not an ink stamp, indicating that this helmet was made prior to 1914. All fittings and kokades are original to the helmet. The title of the regiment was ‘König Friedrich August von Sachsen‘. The King of Sachsen (Saxony) was the honorary, commander of the regiment. This was a common practice of courtesy among the aristocracy in the pre-war German, Austrian and British armies and navies. The Kaiser was an honorary commander of various British and Austrian regiments and an admiral of the British Navy, until 1914. King George V and Czar Nicholas II were both honorary commanders of a German Regiment.










 Ersatz (Substitute) helmet, made of lacquered steel, made in early 1915. The start of the war brought on the British blockade of Germany. Leather for helmets was imported from Argentina, and the demand for helmets exhausted supplies almost immediately. Manufacturers of kitchen utensils were called on to turn out helmets of thin steel and tin. Although the helmet is steel, it offered no real protection in combat, nor did the leather helmet. All other fittings are standard 1895 model brass fittings. The helmet plate is a pre-war type and not original to the helmet. The kokades are from the 1914 era, but are not original to the helmet. The chinstrap is a modern reproduction. Collectors refer to this as a ‘parts’ helmet, as it is an assembly of original parts. It does not have the same value as a complete helmet with all original fittings. Other examples of this type of helmet were painted field grey, with brass or steel fittings and plates, also painted field grey







Ersatz Prussian Artillery Kugelhelm (Ball Helmet), made in mid-1915. All fittings are 1895 model parts, but steel, painted field grey. Other examples of this type of helmet used brass fittings when available. The helmet plate is the standard Prussian line eagle plate, with the King’s motto, Mit Gott Für Koenig und Vaterland (With God for King and Country, i.e. Prussia). The right kokade is the German National kokade, and the left kokade is the Prussian Land Kokade, black, white, black, being the state colors of Prussia. The kokades and chinstrap are modern replacements. Many Artillery units had a ball on top of their helmets in place of a spike. By 1915 the detachable spike attachment had been developed so that soldiers in the trenches could remove the spike, as the spike was incompatible for service in the trenches and they made excellent targets for British and French snipers. A collateral benefit for this was that the same helmet could be used for infantry or artillery artillery units, simplifying the manufacturing and supply process

 Stahlhelm (1915-1945)












Designed By Dr. Friedrich Schwerd of the Technical Institute of Hanover. In early 1915 Schwerd had carried out a study of head wounds suffered during trench warfare and submitted a recommendation for steel helmets, shortly after which he was ordered to Berlin. Schwerd then undertook the task of designing and producing a suitable helmet broadly based on the 15th century sallet, which provided good protection for the head and neck.
First Stahlhelm were tested in November 1915 at the Kummersdorf Proving Ground and then field tested by the 1st Assault Battalion. Thirty thousand examples were ordered, but it was not approved for general issue until New Year 1916, hence it is most usually referred to as the “Model 1916”. In February 1916 it was distributed to troops at Verdun, following which the incidence of serious head injuries fell dramatically. The first German troop who had to use this helmet had been the stormtroopers of the Sturm-Bataillon Nr. 5 (Rohr) which had been commanded by captain Rohr.
In contrast to the Hadfield steel used in the British Brodie helmet, the Germans used a harder martensitic silicon/nickel steel. As a result, and also due to the helmet’s form, the Stahlhelm had to be formed in heated dies at a greater unit cost than the British helmet, which could be formed in one piece

Stahlhelm Variant  












M1916 & M1917
The model 1916 Stahlhelm was a mix between the obsolete Pickelhaube and the French made ‘Adrian’ helmet. Unlike the ‘Adrian’ helmet the M16 was a grey (feld grau) color, rather then a bronze color (this tradition was carried on to all stahlhelms up until 1945). It should be noted that as early as 1915, the German High Command was aware of that the Pickelhaube was obsolete and various ‘improvised’ headpieces were constructed on the field. One example of a German ‘improvised’ headpiece is the ‘Gaede’ helmet. The ‘Gaede’ was put together by connecting a metal sheet to a German skullcap. The ‘Gaede’ was developed and put to use by Lieutenant-Colonel Gaede in central France in 1915.



M1918
1917 the Model 1917 Stahlhelm was manufactured. The M1917 was basically an exact duplicate of the M1916, but with a more defined cutaway area around the ears. Later, in early 1918, the Model 1918 Stahlelm, with a clear cutaway between both ears was introduced to service and saw a limited distribution. Only small numbers were given out until the end of the war.
During the German pre-Wehrmacht period (1919-1935) the Model 1916 remained the most commonly used piece of military headgear in Germany outside of the military sphere. With the Treaty of Versailles’ implementation in June 1919, large numbers of Stahlhelms M16, M17, and M18 were destroyed pursuant to the purpose of the Treaty which was to basically crush future German war efforts. In the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, however, the M16 and the M17 were remanufactured for military and police use.
Members of the Reichswehr and auxiliary formations wore two versions of the Stahlhelm Model 1916 and Model 1917-(and various other models, the Pickelhaube, the M1918, etc.). It should be noted that after Hitler’s rise to power wearers of the Model 1916 and Model 1917 also wore the decorative German tri-color shield and the Wehrmachtadler (a white eagle grasping a swastika). The Stahlhelm Model 1916 and Model 1917 remained in service until 1935 when it was replaced by a lighter model of the Stahlhelm, the model 1935.



M1935
With the re-introduction of conscription and the formation of several new armed service branches (the Heer, Luftwaffe, and Kriegsmarine into a new armed force title the Wehrmacht) a new helmet type was needed to keep up with the modernization’s of the country’s forces. Therefore the Model 1935 was introduced into German service on July 1, 1935. The sheer weight and size of the Model 1935 didn’t vary much from that of the Model’s 1916 and 1917 Stahlhelm. A very distinctive feature of the Model 1935 was the crimping of the helmets rim; this was later discontinued for economic reasons. It is interesting to note that large numbers of the M35 were exported to foreign countries in both the Weimar republic and Third Reich periods, particularly to Argentina and China.


 M1940
In 1940 a new version of Stahlhelm was produced, the Model 1940. The Model 1940 was almost identical to the model 1935 in every way except that the tri-color shield was removed along with the Wehrmachtadler. The M40’s ventilation holes on the sides of the helmet were also increased for maximum combat and production efficiency. The crimping of the rim of the Model 1935 was still in use for this Stahlhelm variation.
















M1942
In 1942 another new version of the Stahlhelm came into Wehrmacht service, the Model 1943 (in the United Kingdom, the Model 1942 is usually referred to as the Model 1943.) Because of wartime production troubles and the lack or raw materials, the Model 1943 Stahlhelm was stamped out of only one sheet of steel. This process eliminated the distinctive rim crimping seen in earlier models of the Stahlhelm.
Because of the M43’s lack of crimping it had a sharp appearance and the size of the helmets based increased slightly. The Model 1943 Stahlhelm remained in production until the end of the war and saw a wide use by the service branches of the Wehrmacht and auxiliary formations (i.e. HJ squads, Schuma units, etc.).
Though various models of the Stahlhelm was produced throughout World War II no models ever completely vanished from German service. The Model 1935 and Model 1940 Stahlhelms remained in service with various foreign units and both helmets saw a widespread use in the Waffen-SS’s ‘Freiwilligen‘ units. The Volkssturm, a troop of under aged and overage aged Germans, also used the older models of the Stahlhelm and even the Model 1916 was used in Volksgrenadier divisions.

  













Luftwaffe Paratroopers Helmet
The above discussed the uses of the Stahlhelm in the traditional military and police sense. But the Stahlhelm was also produced for more specialized tasks. For example the Luftwaffe introduced the Fallschrimjaeger (Airborne and Glider borne troops) helmet in 1936. The Model 1936 Fallschrimjaeger helmet didn’t differ much from the Model 1935. With the exceptions of its lighter weight and lack of helmet crimping, it basically resembled the Model 1935 Stahlhelm without a helmet rim. There was also more padding in the interior of the helmet to protect the wearer during airborne operations. Another example of a specially designed Stahlhelm is the plastic, extremely light weight Stahlhelms that were produced for use by aged, high ranking soldiers and injured soldiers, for non-combat uses.
In conclusion the Stahlhelm and its different versions proved to be the most effective combat helmet produced during the war. The Stahlhelms gave more than adequate protection to the wearer and prevented most forms of shrapnel from injuring the wearer. It’s light weight gave the wearer maximum mobility and proved excellent for fast paced operations, perfect for the blitzkrieg tactics employed by the Wehrmacht in the WW 2.

M1944 

A simpler variant, designed in 1944 by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fry and his collaborator Dr. Hansel from the Institute for Defense Technical Materials Science in Berlin, was also stamped out of one piece of metal, but with sloped sides. Similar in appearance to the British 1944 Type Mk III helmet.Allegedly personally rejected by Hitler as being too foreign. 

M1945

There have been reports of a variant manufactured in the last months of the war. The M1945 was reported to have been similar to the M1942 design, but did away completely with the ventilator

M1956

 

 

 The East German M-56 helmet was originally designed in 1942 as a replacement for the M1935/M1940 model Stahlhelms,The 1942 design was likely chosen because it was the most similar of all German designs to the most recognizable Soviet helmets, in particular the iconic SSh-40 design. Indeed, the M-56 was similar enough in appearance to the SSh-40 that some Westerners failed to realize its German origins altogether and assumed the East Germans had adopted a Soviet design.

1. Helmets and Headdress of the Imperial German Army, 1870-1918, Col. Robert H. Rankin, Published by N. Flayderman & Co., 1965
   The Pickelhaube, Vol. 1, J.A. Bowman, published by Imperial Publications, 1989
   The Pickelhaube, Vol. 2, J.A. Bowman, published by Imperial Publications, 1992
   Militaria, Ein Bilderbuch für Sammle und Freunde alter Helme und Uniformen (A Picture Book for Collectors and Friends of old Helmets and Uniforms), Jan K. Kube, published by Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, 1987, an English version of this book is also available Reprint (with English translation) of; Die Graue Felduniform der Deutschen Armee, Published by Verlag von Moritz Ruhl/Leipzig, 1910
   Reprint of ; Deutschlands Armee in Feldgrauer Kriegs-und Friedens-Uniform, Paul Casberg, published by P.M. Weber, Berlin, 1916
2.  World War I Infantry in Color Photographs, Europa Militaria No. 3, Laurent Mirouze, published by Windrow & Green, London
   Army Uniforms of World War 1, Andrew Mollo & Pierre Turner, Arco Publishing Company, Inc., 1978
   The German Army 1933-1945: Uniforms and Insignia, by Brian L. Davis
   The German Luftwaffe Uniforms and Insignia volumes 1 & 2, by Brian L. Daivs
   Body Armor, by Robert Woosnam-Savage and Anthony Hall
   German Helmets 1933-1945, by T.V. Goodapple and R.J. Weinand
   Osprey Warrior Series: The Waffen-SS 1940-1945, by Bruce Quarrie and Jeffery Burn
   The German soldier, by Dr. S. Hart, Dr. M. Hart and Dr. Matthew Hughes
   The German Army 1933-1945: It’s Political and Military Failure, by Matthew Cooper
   Images courtesy of The Ruptured Duck and N & T Global Trading
3. http://www.axishistory.com/axis-nations/360-germany-unsorted/militaria/9066-a-brief-history-of-the-german-stahlhelm-1916-1945
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stahlhelm
5. http://www.worldwar1.com/sfgph.htm
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickelhaube

Błyskawica (Lightning) was a sub machine gun produced by Armia Krajowa.
In 1942 engineer Wacław Zawrotny proposed to the Armia Krajowa command that he and his colleagues prepare a project of a cheap, home-made machine pistol for use by the Polish resistance,The design was based on two of the most popular machine pistols of the era. The external construction with a retractable butt and magazine mounted below the gun was borrowed from the successful German MP 40. The internal design of the mechanism was modeled after the British Sten. Blowback, with an open bolt, it offered good performance and high reliability. Unlike the Sten, and its Polish clone called the Polski Sten, it employed a free-floating firing pin. The weapon was designed in this fashion so that resistance army members could use any captured stocks of German MP40 ammunition cartridges.