German Helmets: Stahlhelm

German Helmets of the First and Second World Wars. A few notes about these: The first German Steel Helmets were issued in 1916; replacing the old Pickelhaube or spiked helmets. Two more patterns followed in 1918. One of these with the differing feature being the chinstrap attachment; this was no longer fixed to the helmet skirt, but to the liner band, and so did away with the need of the rivet either side near the edge of the skirt. The second type was the so-called ear-cutout helmet, which, as this nickname indicates, had a portion of the skirt removed to facilitate hearing, use of field telephone, or distribution of blast, depending upon which suggestion you choose to believe. Regardless, all helmets were fitted with the distinctive lugs which protruded from both sides, and the reason for this was to enable fitting of of a stirnpanzer, or protective iron shield used by front line sentries, machine gunners and more essentially, snipers. Many people mistakenly believe that steel helmets are to stop bullets—-they are not. I quick look at the Battle Damaged section of this board will soon disolussion you of this idea. Steel helmets might deflect or absorb the impact of a bullet and save lives or lessen serious injury, but they were made and issued as a protection against shrapnel and other forms of flying debris caused by mines or shelling. That said shrapnel could at times pierce the steel helmet, and the blast of explosions could open up or crush them like a tin can. But, once again, a look in the aforementioned section at the dented helmets here, helps one to understand the value that the steel helmets undoubtedly had on the men who wore them, and one can only imagine what such projectiles could have otherwise done to the unprotected human head. One final point concerns camouflage. Following a directive in 1918 front line troops were ordered to paint their helmets loosely to a suggested scheme using ocher colours outlined in a sort of black gridding with a view of breaking up the helmets distinctive shape and enabling it to blend in with the muddy terrain of the trenches. Numerous examples of these camouflages can be seen in this First World War section.