Helmet Description

Hitler Youth (Hitler Jungend) members serving with the Air Raid Warning Service (Luftschutz Warndienst) were generally issued the standard model Gladiator style helmets common to all Luftschutz personnel.  These were sometimes painted black on their exterior, but were more often left their typical blue-gray color.  Small decals in the shape of the Hitler Youth diamond were sometimes placed on one or both sides of the helmet to distinguish the wearer.  A much larger version of this decal in the form of a rounded shield with diamond in the center was also used.

If serving with anti-aircraft units of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), Hitler Youth members were generally provided standard Luftwaffe combat model helmets.  These were typically the M1940 and M1942 model helmets with single Luftwaffe decals.  To denote the wearer as being a member of the Hitler Youth, a single Hitler Youth diamond insignia in the form of a decal was sometimes placed on the left side of the helmet directly underneath the Luftwaffe decal.  The positioning of the decal was generally vertical, although in some cases the decal was placed horizontally.

The Three-Piece Luftschutz Gladiator Helmet with HJ Diamond

The Two-Piece Luftschutz Gladiator Helmet with HJ Decal

The M1942 Luftwaffe Combat Helmet with HJ Diamond

HJ Main

Helmet Types

Helmet Insignia

Period Photos