just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water!

[Danmark]

An odd title for a thread I know - and I was torn where to post this - but as the subject matter is helmets, I thought here was best.

I came across this You Tube original training video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbfffbVi3gs called " know your enemy 1944" and within it starts to describe the uniform of the German enemy using costumed soldier / actors.

The helmets are described with the identifying decals and I was quite amused ......



Now, imagine stumbling upon one of these helmets in 2015!! ....... it would immediately be dismissed as a poor fakers attempt at a DD ( on an M42 no less ) and maybe even a fake, made-up helmet, who knows?

So there guys n' gals ..... just when you thought it was safe, the truth often is stranger than we think!

Cheers, Dan

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

Hi Dan, thanks for that, I have never seen this video before, but from time to time I have seen these training helmets turn up here in the UK.

[Danmark]

Yes Leon it is possibly even a pressed cardboard gizmo,tbut I would have thought they could have used some Tunisian surrendered helmets - or did the Americans grab all them?

I suppose though it's collectable in its own right!

Cheers, Dan

[helmet2id]

A good friend of mine who is liquidating his collection has one of the Brit made "German" helmets used to train British soldiers. The shell, of a thinner gauge steel than a German combat shell, was made in England and up close would never be confused for a real German piece, but the purpose was to acclimate the soldier to the general contour of the Kraut headgear from a distance, so it didn't have to be perfect. The liner is a make shift contraption, nothing like a real M31 liner. If I recall correctly, the insignia are also painted, but are a bit better than the ones on the thread starter. He has a reasonable price tag on it and I have been tempted. If I take the plunge I'll post it. Cheers, Jim G.

[Danmark]

That would be nice to see Jim!

Cheers, Dan