M40 Luft - Post War MP Use

[helmet2id]

Yesterday's arrival. A small (Q60!) single decal Luftwaffe helmet, lot number DN127. The partial liner and partial chinstrap are rats, dry rotted and falling out. The interesting aspect of this helmet is the "M.P." in whitewash on the brow of the shell, designating post War use be a German soldier impressed into security duties by occupation forces. After the War hundreds of thousands of Wehrmacht personnel were interred in camps and forced to rebuild the devastated cities of Germany. In addition to Allied Military Police, German soldiers were called upon to perform some security services, including such tasks as guarding the camps, performing traffic control, etc. This helmet was probably used by one of those conscripted German MP's. I have only seen one other over the years. Hope you like it. Jim G.

[davejb]

Very unusual Jim, never seen one like that before, but it does stand to reason that it happened, it made me think of the scene in Band of Brothers, on the check point, GI with the wermacht soldier at wars end, thanks for showing, regards Dave

[ObKrieger]

I once considered buying this very helmet I believe!

I like it, thanks for posting.

[SteveR]

Interesting helmet.

[VolksJager]

Very interesting, I like it. Nice size to, 60's are hard to get

[zwerge]

I don`t think they would have allowed the swastika to remain on the helmet postwar...JMO.

[GasMasksUK]

Very unusual Jim, never seen one like that before, but it does stand to reason that it happened, it made me think of the scene in Band of Brothers, on the check point, GI with the wermacht soldier at wars end, thanks for showing, regards Dave

Exactly what I was about to say, probably my favorite part of the whole series to be honest Very nice helmet Jim

Thanks for sharing it

Danny

[cricketchris1944]

So you are the one who got it.
Nice helmet,I do like the info about.
German who were working with the allies did keep alot of there gear,and equipment to use.
chris