Decal Description

Security and Assistance Service (Sicherheits und Hilfdienst-SHD) helmets carried the winged decal insignia that was also used on helmets of the Air Protection Warning Service (Luftschutzwarndienst-LSW).  The Air Protection (Luftschutz) winged decal was introduced in 1938 and was generically used by both the Sicherheits und Hilfdienst and the Luftschutzwarndinest simultaneously. The decal was placed on the front of the helmet directly above the visor.  One could assume that the Security and Assistance Service would have normally used police decals since they were organized under local police jurisdiction. However it appears that they did not.  The use of police decals on air protection related helmets did not come about fully until April 1942 when the Sicherheits und Hilfdienst was reconstituted as the much larger Air Protection Police (Luftschutzpolizei).  Even so, it is possible that some helmets bearing police decals did in fact migrate into the standard mix of helmets used prior to April 1942.  This is bore out by the fact that many beaded M1935 double decal police helmets with first pattern, unbordered eagle shields are known to exist.  It is not likely that these would have been factory configured in this manner after 1940.

The Standard Luftschutz Decal Used on Most SHD Helmets

The Early unbordered Police Decal and Matching NS-Party Shield

SHD Main

Helmet Types

Helmet Insignia

Volksstrum-Sauerland