Best Designed Combat Helmet

The_Historian · #1 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2004, 01:53 PM

OK,
This didn't work elsewhere, so let's try it here.
I know Carl and Stefan have both contributed to the previous attempt, so I hope they'll chip in again.

What does everyone think the best of the above was? I'd go for the US M1, due to ballistic improvements over the British MKII and III "Battle-Bowlers".
Suppose the German M35 and M43 weren't too bad either, or the modern US "fritz" wouldn't have copied the shape.
Thoughts, anyone?

Regards,

Gordon

T. A. Gardner · #2 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2004, 04:24 PM

The best ballistically, was definitely the German M35. The design allowed good head protection and offered some protection from blast effects. This is why the new US helmet looks similar, engineering and testing showed this shape very efficent at protecting the wearer.
The US helmet of the period had one good design feature others didn't. It included a liner so the wearer could opt to wear the lighter liner without the ballastic steel cap when that much protection was not required.
Worst of the lot was the British WW I flat 'tin bowler." The flat brim helped focus blast effects increasing the chance of injury and offered little side or rear protection. Their later more curved version (somewhat reminisent of Dutch and Danish helmets) was a bit better but still not up to the US or German equivalents.

Martin Bull · #3 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2004, 05:41 PM

I'd say the M35 was best for overall protection and design.

But I'd raise a question about suitability for cold-weather conditions. As TA has pointed out, the US helmet had a separate liner which was very useful in conditions of extreme cold. I've read of German soldiers on sentry duty in the winter conditions of the Eastern Front quietly dying as the fluids of their brains froze.

The_Historian · #4 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2004, 06:19 PM

Hi TA,
In fairness, the British MKII was developed from the MKI, which was adopted purely and simply to provide cover from overhead bursts in the trenches of the Great War. You can see period pictures of men leaning towards a distant shell burst, in the belief that was how the helmet would protect them best.

I don't know about designed even-I'm sure I read the MKI was lifted from a mediaeval engraving of English Men at Arms at Agincourt!
The MKIII was a bit better, but not much.
Sure I read something similar about the Stahlhelm-wasn't it influenced by the old Roman Army helmet?
Agree about it's ballistic protection for infantry, but what about the pared-down version the Fallschirmjager wore? That must have reduced it to the same level as a skull-cap.
I like the detachable liner idea of the M1, and the US Army obviously did too, as it was still used into the 70s and 80s.
Agree with Martin about cold-weather protection. It's alright issuing guys with cap comforters, but the added bulk lifts the helmet further off the head and defeats the whole purpose of wearing it in the first place! Look at the pictures of British commandos in the Lofoten islands raid.
I always thought the Germans about got it right with the issue toque-not a balaclava to impair tactical awareness, but enough protection for vital areas.

Regards,

Gordon