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Finnish Camo Helmets- Period Photo Pictorial
Non-Imporant Info:
In the beginning of August, I set out on a mission to learn about all the different types of helmets used by Finland from the Winter War to the Lapland War. I did not just want to read about them through articles, no, I wanted to visually see them. To accomplish this goal, I used the Finnish Defence Forces Archive and sifted through thousands of pages. Out of over 8000 pages, I made it to page 3600 by the end of August before getting burnt out. I have yet to start up again, but I feel like I have succeeded in my goal. However, what I did not expect to find was the many variations of Camo helmets! So that brings me today where I would like to list several of the photos I have gathered and show just how much variety there was from camo to camo. Most of these were new to me, so that must mean they are new to someone else as well! If you have any period photos of Finnish camo helmets, please share and try to provide any information! The dates may not be too accurate, depending on how quickly the photographer produced them, but these are the dates presented on the website. Dating of my photos will be Month-Day-Year.
At some point, I would also like to post a sister thread with photos of the different decals/markings on Helmets I have seen.
3-09-1940 Radio Team with simple winter camo:
7-19-1941 Soldiers at Imatra with varying camos:
7-25-1941 Soldier in Häsälä with winter streaks:
7-26-1941 Soldiers in Ruokolahti painting their helmets:
8-04-1941 Soldier with beautiful M33:
8-09-1941 Soldiers at Märkälä Bay constructing bridge:
8-10-1941 Major Polón with a zebra-looking helmet. There were more photos of him, but this is the only one I saved:
8-31-1941 Parade in Vyborg:
9-18-1941 Planning before the attack. Photo is a little over-exposed, but camo is still there:
9-19-1941 Soldier at Valkeasaari Church. Possibly a deteriorating white-wash?:
9-28-1941 14 soldiers are getting the 2nd Class Freedom Medal:
10-14-1941 Soldiers clearing a captured house. Interesting camo on man second from the left:
11-06-1941 Finnish use of a winter-camoed Russian helmet:
11-30-1941 Soldiers on the Hanko front:
12-4-1941 Soldiers on the Hanko front. Note the helmet on the far left:
These are the best photos I have saved. I have a few more, but the camo helmets are far in the background.
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10-14-2020 02:54 AM
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Outside of my scope, but this is a great thread!
Last edited by reneblacky; 10-14-2020 at 06:20 AM.
Reason: spelling!
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Great thread. The Finns were very creative. Lots of Swedish M26's.
I love the Danuvia on the left of the last photograph. Does anyone know what type this is with the four finger grooves?
Cheers,
Emile
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You beat me to in regards to camo helmets.
I also did research a lot SA-photos, mainly about uniform models and variations, use of medals and badges in practise, and specific unit identification badges.
I only researched with search words, that 8000 pages of photos is just too much.
But I did find few special helmets in my search.
OP, feel free to ask me to identify unknown helmet decals.
SA-photo 4794
Russian anti-air machinegun. Lemetti. Regiment motti.
Lemetti 1940.02.01
Winter helmets
SA-photo 25506
Pioneer in action (strike team)
Hanko front 1941.07.17
Swedish m26 camo helmet
SA-photo 29387
Artillery fire leader, photographer and riflemen on front.
Nuijamaa, Konnunsuon maasto 1941.07.28
Field artillery regiment 7, "KTR 7, II battery" decal in helmet.
SA-photo 43835
Konekivääripesäke etulinjassa.
Hanko front, swedish volunteer battalion. 1941.08.29
TK decal in helmet , i think it means TaisteluKuvaaja / combat photographer
SA-photo 57335
Anti-air gun shoots.
1941.10.05
Possibly yellow circle decal, Swedish speakers of 17. Division.
SA-photo 95461
Medical training school, medic looking from foxhole
Lahti, Hennala 1942.07.30
Unknown skull decal, man is also not in combat front, but in training centre. Cool skull decal anyway.
SA-photo 125370
Tent raised, warming.
Karjalan Kannas 1943.03.26
m/34 Czhechoslovakian winter helmet
SA-photo 126802
Feldwebel Varkila just now silenced enemy sniper.
Rajajoki 1943.04.18
Scraped clean winter helmet, and Finnish Physica sniper scope.
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by
Verikauha
TK decal in helmet , i think it means
Taistelu
Kuvaaja / combat photographer
TK usually stands for Tiedotuskomppania, practically the Finnish equivalent of the German PK or Propagandakompanie units. Not sure if that's the case here, I have not seen the decal before. Interesting pictures!
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Amazing thread, I love seeing the variations of helmet models and camouflage patterns. Makes me wonder if it caused any mistakes regarding who the enemy is and who’s friendly.
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