Helmets worn by civilian members of the Air Protection Warning Service (Luftschutzwarndienst) were required to purchase light-weight helmets that bore a distinct winged decal insignia on their front.  The decals took the form of a pair of extended wings with a swastika in the center and a banner reading "Luftschutz" over the top.  The word "Luftschutz" was always depicted in block Latin script.  The decals were printed in both silver and gold colors with each version being quite large overall.  A late-war example used on one-piece helmets has also been observed in white.  Earlier versions of the decal had the background details outlined in blue, while later versions had these details printed in black.  A single decal was positioned on the front of the helmet directly above the visor. 

While regulations called for the placement of the decal on the front of the helmet, it was not uncommon to place one or two decals on the sides of a helmet depending on its model.  Due to the limited number of helmets available to Luftschutzwarndienst (Luftschutz) volunteers, the Air Protection Warning Service made use of many out-dated helmets including leather firemen's helmets, World War I model helmets, as well as captured Czech, Polish, Dutch, and Russian helmets.  As a result, it was not uncommon to see Luftschutz decals placed on helmets in atypical fashion¹.

Particularly noteworthy is the use of the gold version of this decal.  Many collectors and historians have speculated that the gold Luftschutz decal was purposely intended for specific use by Water Protection Police (Wasserschutzpolizei) who were responsible for tending to air Protection duties along coastal or inland waterways in both Germany and occupied countries. 

While gold versions of this decal clearly exist, little evidence has been gathered to establish whether or not the gold decal can truly be attributed to this limited group of specialized police.  Some collectors speculate the the gold version was in fact simply a maker's variation.  This may also be the case since Luftschutz helmets were typically manufactured by both large and small helmet factories.  The gold decal may in fact be nothing more than a printer's variation.  A final hypothesis regarding the gold decal suggests that it may have been intended for high level leaders within the Air Protection Warning Service. As of yet, no additional information has been documented.

¹ Odd decal combinations have been observed where the standard M1940 beaded Luftschutz helmet has been modified by the addition of an Army eagle decal on the left side.  Speculation holds that these helmets were worn by Luftschutzwarndienst members serving with Army observation units at military installations located inside German borders.  Further information is not available at this time.

The Luftschutz Helmet Decal