Anthony Charles
New member
Anthony C. Meldahl, Ersatz Spike Helmet Book, Research/translations.
Document I found in Stuttgart 1989. I spent 1 week in this archive going thru 1000s of documents, researching WWI insignina/field equipment/uniforms found these on Ersatz/Spike helmets:
Four exerpts from Prussian Armee Verordnungsblatt:
(ACM Doc #2.1.) (Preussen) Kriegsministerium Nr. 740. Wuertt. HSt A Stuttgart. (No #)
Ministry of War in the Great Headquarters , Nr,.958/8.16. B3C
G.H.Qu. 30.8.1916
Prussian Armeeverordnundsblatt Nr. 740:
Subject: Dispensable spike helmets are tobe withdrawn from the field.
After the front line troops are equipped with the new (M1916) steel helmet they must turn in all unneeded spike helmets which are to be sent back to the units Replacement Depot Battalion (Ersatz Batallion) in Germany
Signed Wild von Hohenborn
Stellvertrettene Generalkommando date 9.9. 1916- IVa Nr. 11494. BfdStGH Alefeld
(ACM Doc.# 2.2) (Preussen) Kriegsminiserium. Armee-Verwaltungs-Departement Nr. 1007/8.17. B3Cb. AVBl Br 1496. Wuert.Stuttgart HStA. (no number)
Prussian Armeeverordnungsblatt Nr. 1496
Subject: Felt spike helmets
(Preussen) Kriegsminiserium. Armee-Verwaltungs-Departement Nr. 1007/8.17. B3Cb
Berlin 15.8.17.
Paragrph 9 of the Decree of 9.9.16. Nr. 2755/8.16.B3 is hereby completed, felt spike helmets (shakos) are only to be used in Germany at the units replacement depots. Troops in the field are not to be equipped with felt helmets. Signed Coffer.
IVa Nr. 9809: The Decree of 9.9.16 was issued by the Decree of the pertinent Army Corps of 19.9.16 IVa Nr. 11735
(ACM Doc.#2.3)(Preussen) Minisatry of War. Army Administration Dept Nr. 1191/8.17. B3 Ca. Wuert.Stuttgart HStA (no number)
Preussen) Minisatry of War. Army Administration Dept Nr. 1191/8.17. B3 Ca.
Decree Nr. 1504.
Subject: Leather spike helmets for replacement troops.
Berlin 19.8.17
Quite frequently in recent times replacement troops ended up being transported to a different sector/front than they were originally intended to serve at. (my comment/interpretation: These troops were getting equipped in Germany at the units replacement depot battalion with M1916 steel helmets, which due to shortages at that time, should only have been issued to troops scheduled for deployment to the Western Front, but its was ending up frequently the case that these stahlhelm equipped troops ended up having their assignment changed to be deployed to quieter fronts such as Russian, Romania, Italy…where the need for protection again the shell splints/shrapnel was not as urgent as proved to be the case on the Somme and Verdun etc)
Due to the shortage of (m1916) steel helmets..replacement troops will now be equipped with spike leather helmets. Once the supply of (m1916) steel helmets meets the demand at the front, then replacement troops (at the home depots) will be equipped with them. A decree addressing this matter will be issued at the appropriate time by this command.
I.V. signed. Von Flotow
Stellv.Gen. Kdo von 29.8.17. IVa Nr.9929. V.s.d.st.G.K. Alefeld
(ACM Doc. # 2.4) (Preussen KM. Nr. 162. 25.2.18. Wuert/Stuttgart HStA (no number)
(Prussian) Ministry of War. Army Administration Department. Nr. 830.12.18. B3Ca
Decree Nr. 162
Berlin, 25.2.18.
Subject: Helmets
Since the troops at the front now have a sufficient supply of (M1916) steel helmets, troops at the replacement depots (in Germany) can be issued steel helmets prior to their transport to the front, making it no longer necessary to send them with leather spike helmets.
Signed: von Oven
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(Wuerttemberg) Ministry of War
Stuttgart. 4.3.18.
Nr. 5539 K.B.2
To the royal general commando (XIII Army Corps) with a request for any further information relevant to this topic.
Signed: I.A. von Gerhardt
Stell v. Generalkommando
Abt. IVa Nr.13623 Kr Stuttgart 8.3.18.
Document I found in Stuttgart 1989. I spent 1 week in this archive going thru 1000s of documents, researching WWI insignina/field equipment/uniforms found these on Ersatz/Spike helmets:
Four exerpts from Prussian Armee Verordnungsblatt:
(ACM Doc #2.1.) (Preussen) Kriegsministerium Nr. 740. Wuertt. HSt A Stuttgart. (No #)
Ministry of War in the Great Headquarters , Nr,.958/8.16. B3C
G.H.Qu. 30.8.1916
Prussian Armeeverordnundsblatt Nr. 740:
Subject: Dispensable spike helmets are tobe withdrawn from the field.
After the front line troops are equipped with the new (M1916) steel helmet they must turn in all unneeded spike helmets which are to be sent back to the units Replacement Depot Battalion (Ersatz Batallion) in Germany
Signed Wild von Hohenborn
Stellvertrettene Generalkommando date 9.9. 1916- IVa Nr. 11494. BfdStGH Alefeld
(ACM Doc.# 2.2) (Preussen) Kriegsminiserium. Armee-Verwaltungs-Departement Nr. 1007/8.17. B3Cb. AVBl Br 1496. Wuert.Stuttgart HStA. (no number)
Prussian Armeeverordnungsblatt Nr. 1496
Subject: Felt spike helmets
(Preussen) Kriegsminiserium. Armee-Verwaltungs-Departement Nr. 1007/8.17. B3Cb
Berlin 15.8.17.
Paragrph 9 of the Decree of 9.9.16. Nr. 2755/8.16.B3 is hereby completed, felt spike helmets (shakos) are only to be used in Germany at the units replacement depots. Troops in the field are not to be equipped with felt helmets. Signed Coffer.
IVa Nr. 9809: The Decree of 9.9.16 was issued by the Decree of the pertinent Army Corps of 19.9.16 IVa Nr. 11735
(ACM Doc.#2.3)(Preussen) Minisatry of War. Army Administration Dept Nr. 1191/8.17. B3 Ca. Wuert.Stuttgart HStA (no number)
Preussen) Minisatry of War. Army Administration Dept Nr. 1191/8.17. B3 Ca.
Decree Nr. 1504.
Subject: Leather spike helmets for replacement troops.
Berlin 19.8.17
Quite frequently in recent times replacement troops ended up being transported to a different sector/front than they were originally intended to serve at. (my comment/interpretation: These troops were getting equipped in Germany at the units replacement depot battalion with M1916 steel helmets, which due to shortages at that time, should only have been issued to troops scheduled for deployment to the Western Front, but its was ending up frequently the case that these stahlhelm equipped troops ended up having their assignment changed to be deployed to quieter fronts such as Russian, Romania, Italy…where the need for protection again the shell splints/shrapnel was not as urgent as proved to be the case on the Somme and Verdun etc)
Due to the shortage of (m1916) steel helmets..replacement troops will now be equipped with spike leather helmets. Once the supply of (m1916) steel helmets meets the demand at the front, then replacement troops (at the home depots) will be equipped with them. A decree addressing this matter will be issued at the appropriate time by this command.
I.V. signed. Von Flotow
Stellv.Gen. Kdo von 29.8.17. IVa Nr.9929. V.s.d.st.G.K. Alefeld
(ACM Doc. # 2.4) (Preussen KM. Nr. 162. 25.2.18. Wuert/Stuttgart HStA (no number)
(Prussian) Ministry of War. Army Administration Department. Nr. 830.12.18. B3Ca
Decree Nr. 162
Berlin, 25.2.18.
Subject: Helmets
Since the troops at the front now have a sufficient supply of (M1916) steel helmets, troops at the replacement depots (in Germany) can be issued steel helmets prior to their transport to the front, making it no longer necessary to send them with leather spike helmets.
Signed: von Oven
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(Wuerttemberg) Ministry of War
Stuttgart. 4.3.18.
Nr. 5539 K.B.2
To the royal general commando (XIII Army Corps) with a request for any further information relevant to this topic.
Signed: I.A. von Gerhardt
Stell v. Generalkommando
Abt. IVa Nr.13623 Kr Stuttgart 8.3.18.