Question about British helmet markings > White rectangular fields
Article about: It could be that the rear of the tankers helmet had the white painted on it for a guide when the wearer was walking in front of the armoured vehicle in poor light, dusk or night, so that the
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Re: Question about British helmet markings > White rectangular fields
Hi,
Yeah I saw that one as well,the only thing I can think of is, during training during the 50' & 60's they would have had there name or number, or the training squad name that they were in put on there so the instructors new who they were.
I like the Canadian helmet crash RTR, I had the British helmet crash RAC with the same white square on the back. whether it was for the same purpose I don't know.
Aaron
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Re: Question about British helmet markings > White rectangular fields
Thanks for the info; I think that field on the tankers helmet is WW2 vintage, because it bears a Polish Exile Forces eagle on the front. On this helmet I don't think the square was used for training purposes post-war, because the eagle would have been obliterated prior to the post war issue or re-issue of the helmet. So perhaps it is an insignia that was used in training or exercises during WW2??? Also i have not seen these helmets in other than black; were other colors used as here, and for what reasons? I collect WW2 Polish helmets exclusively and I have never come across another example like this.
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Re: Question about British helmet markings > White rectangular fields
Nice. Thanks. Someone also just suggested to me that the rectangle could be for identification of the wearer as an officer or NCO, or that maybe it represented a platoon color? I think this last suggestion is unlikely because so far I am aware of only white fields and not fields of any other colors. Has anyone seen rectangles in colors other than white?
Last edited by IvanPutski; 02-05-2011 at 07:25 PM.
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Re: Question about British helmet markings > White rectangular fields
I had one virtually the same as this one, painted with the white marking on the back. The colours on these painted Helmet, crash, RTR seem very similar, both the Canadian & British type were used by both Countries.
Aaron
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Re: Question about British helmet markings > White rectangular fields
Can't help solve the mystery, but I can tell you that in serious combat officers try to be inconspicuous....simple matter of self-preservation. Rank distinctions are often worn on removable slip-ons. No big white patches.
Cheers,
PG
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Re: Question about British helmet markings > White rectangular fields
Pretty sure these helmets were never used in combat, have seen plenty of pics of them used in the UK.
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Re: Question about British helmet markings > White rectangular fields
I am leaning toward the conclusion that they were used in training exercises. But the Polish helmet that I posted would also lead to the conclusion that they were used during WW2 (or at least up to the point where Polish troops were no longer training for tank operations.
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