M42 (steel helmet)
The German steel helmet model 42 ( M42 for short ) is the steel helmet that was used by the Wehrmacht and the SS during World War II . The model 42 was issued to the troops from 1942 and replaced the predecessor M40.
history
Due to the ever higher war expenditure and the ever increasing need for protective coverings, attempts were made to build a simpler and cheaper steel helmet model that could be delivered to the soldiers more quickly. The M42 and its predecessor, the M40, are almost identical. The only thing that was omitted during production was the step of beading; so the simplified version of the M40 became the M42. Because of the knowledge gained in the first years of the war that badges attached to the side were a target for snipers, they were not attached. Occasionally, however, badges were still attached until 1943.
camouflage
The M42 was first made with a dark green color, which should reduce its conspicuousness in the field. In addition, the German soldiers had many ideas to maximize the camouflage effect. On the Eastern Front , many soldiers treated their helmets with limestone so that they could remain inconspicuous in the snow. The helmets intended for the Africa Corps were almost always painted in khaki. When the war was drawing to a close, units of the Waffen-SS in Europe used so-called helmet covers, which were provided with a camouflage pattern. The most frequently used were SS oak camo , pea camo and splinter camo , which was also used in the regular units. Since these helmet covers often offered attachment options, they were used to attach bushes or blades of grass; this made the helmet wearers more difficult to see for snipers. If helmet covers were not available, a bread bag strap was used as a carrier material. In Normandy , soldiers also often applied a coat of clay that gave the helmet a dark brown tone.
Today's whereabouts
Due to its large production numbers, the M42 is much easier and cheaper to obtain than the M40 or M35, for example. The M42 can still be found today as an attic find and can often be found at flea markets.
literature
- Floyd R. Tubbs, Robert W. Clawson: Stahlhelm. Evolution of the German steel helmet. Revised and expanded edition. Kent State University Press, Kent OH et al. 2000, ISBN 0-87338-677-9 .
- Adolf Schlicht, John R. Angolia: The German Wehrmacht. Uniforms and equipment 1933–1945. Volume 1: The Army. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1992, ISBN 3-613-01390-8 .
Web links
- History of steel helmets on "world-war-helmets.com" (French)