Military History/German Helmet

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Expert: Trevor Collette - 11/1/2009


Question

German Helmet
What is the purpose of the knobs protruding from the sides of the German helmet introduced near the end of WW I and used in WW II?

Answer
Hi David

Thanks for the question.

The image that you have attached is of a WWI design. It appears to be a M1918 pattern. The lug you are referring to was an air vent. The hole below and to the side is a rivet hole that the inside liner would be attached to. Some of these helmets were used for a time during WWII, up until about 1943. The were simply surplus stocks that were re-engineered for the Wehrmacht.

A good website on this subject is:

http://www.german-helmets.com/

I found it remarkable that there would even be a website dedicated to this subject, but I suppose there are many collectors out there who would appreciate a convenient site to reference.

I hope this helps

Kind regards

Trevor

Trevor Collette

Expertise

I can answer most specific questions regarding the war on the Eastern Front 1941-45 and general questions on WWII regarding the European Theatre of Operations. I can answer most questions on weapons and vehicles used in those areas of operation, Russian, German, Allied. I can also answer questions on contemporary weapon systems (land/sea/air), nuclear weapons and nuclear war fighting, biological and chemical warfare. I also have an interest in epidemiology and disease in history and Russian history during Stalin, specifically the GuLags.

Experience

3 years Lance Corporal in infantry regiment and 3 years Sapper (Combat Engineer)in Engineer Regiment, both Canadian Army Reserve. Extensive military history library, up until recently I was reading 3-5 books per month on military affairs, then ran out of shelf space, much to my wife's delight.

Education/Credentials
Business Administration, Human Resources Management

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