Helmets worn by the People's Army (Volkssturm) Sauerland were sometimes modified by the addition of a decal that depicted a regional symbol (or shield) used by members of the National Socialist Party Sauerland district.  The decals were green in color with black and white details¹.  The central image of the decal was a mobile swastika with oak leaves denoting strength.  The word "Sauerland" appeared under the swastika in Gothic script.  The members who served in the Volkssturm Sauerland were volunteers from the Freikorps Sauerland, an elite paramilitary group that traced its heritage back to the mid-1920's (see Volkssturm Sauerland History).  As a result, the only authenticated insignia having been produced for use on Volkssturm helmets appears to remain the Sauerland shield.  In most cases, Volkssturm helmets worn in other parts of Germany were simply civic model police or standard combat types provided to civilian volunteers who chose to fight in defense of Germany's cause.  Save for the Sauerland region, this "last ditch" effort generally did not result in additional activity centered on producing special unit insignia.  Due to the late nature of the entire Volkssturm effort (1944-45), most volunteers simply wore whatever helmet protection they could afford.  If any special insignia were applied to Volkssturm helmets, it generally consisted of large letters and numbers painted on the front of helmets to denote which Volkssturm unit a member belonged.

Notes:

¹ Three types of decals are known to exist.  Two patterns have an embedded snake intertwined within the oak leaves and swastika.  The remaining version of the Sauerland decal is identical to the others but is void of the snake placed in the overall design.

Volkssturm Main

Volksturm Sauerland History

Helmet Types

Helmet Photos

Helmet Insignia