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This vintage cigarette card illustrates
the manner in which helmets (and uniforms) were issued in 1934-1935.
This military supply depot is being used as a center for distribution
military clothing and equipment. Note the helmets at right are
M1918 ear cut-out models often termed by collectors as "telephone
talker's" or "cavalry" helmets.
During wartime, shipments of some helmets
were sent directly to the rear areas behind the sectors where units
gathered before being sent into the front lines. In these
depots, equipment was often refurbished before being issued.
Such military depots were often the place were helmets were collected,
repaired, and reissued based on unit needs. This fact is
confirmed by many German World War II veterans who received their
equipment in this manner.
Factories typically supplied completed
helmets to military installations in Germany after which the Armed
Forces (Wehrmacht)
later redeployed or shipped them to needed areas. Most helmets
were issued during basic training, however many German veterans state
that they later turned this equipment in and were issued new supplies
near the front. The photo below was taken for propaganda
purposes and was used in a number of publications during the war
including German newspapers.
This photo clearly shows M1942 model combat helmets being issued to
recruits undergoing training with the elite Großdeutschland Division
(circa 1943). |
