Anthony Charles
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Anthony C. Meldahl, Ersatz Spike Helmet Article part 17.
Document I found in Munich 1989. I spent 2 weeks in this archive.
Translation by Anthony C. Meldahl
(ACM Doc #17.0.). Bayer. III. A.K. Nuernberg 12 Apr 1915 Baayer HStA Abt IV M Kr 5103.
From: General Kommando Bavarian III Army Corps
Nr. 23462 A IV
Nuremberg
April 12, 1915
To: The Royal Bavarian Ministry of War
Reference: Zu. K.M.E.vom 18. March 1915. Nr. 25320
Subject: Helmets
I. The ersatz felt helmets issued to the I. (provincial) Clothing Issue Depot (Belkeidungs-/Ausruestungsdepot). They were primarily issued to trained replacement troops being sent out to the front. Only in a few limited cases were these helmets issued to occupation duty troops. These troops made the following observations:
a) Felt helmets. The felt spike helmets are light, fit well an dare comfortable. One disadvantage experienced by the troops is that these helmets soak up water from rain and snow and become heavier, then stretch out and lose their original shape. Another problem is that the felt helmet provides little protection against thrust and slash wounds from edged weapons.
b) The tin ersatz helmets
The metal helmets are not as light as the felt helmet and does not fit well…however they offer the following advantages: they are more durable an d provide some degree of protection against thrust and slash wounds by edged weapons. We recommend that the tin helmets be fitted with a felt insert in the liner to lessen the pressure against the wearer’s head and to allow sweat to be soaked up.
II.
1) The reports from the troops about the advantages and disadvantages of the tin helmets confirm that when the temperature is 10 C or higher the helmet retains heat. However it was also noted that when exposed to strong sunshine at mid summer that the helmet conducts heat and becomes uncomfortable. However this type of helmet provides some degree of protection against thrust and slash wounds from edged weapons.
2) The III. Army Corps prefers the felt helmet and requests that in order to eliminate the water absorption problem from rain and snow that the felt helmets be treated with shellac so that they are waterproof. After a presentation is made on this information a sample of such a shellacked felt spike helmet should be provided to the Ministry of War.
Document I found in Munich 1989. I spent 2 weeks in this archive.
Translation by Anthony C. Meldahl
(ACM Doc #17.0.). Bayer. III. A.K. Nuernberg 12 Apr 1915 Baayer HStA Abt IV M Kr 5103.
From: General Kommando Bavarian III Army Corps
Nr. 23462 A IV
Nuremberg
April 12, 1915
To: The Royal Bavarian Ministry of War
Reference: Zu. K.M.E.vom 18. March 1915. Nr. 25320
Subject: Helmets
I. The ersatz felt helmets issued to the I. (provincial) Clothing Issue Depot (Belkeidungs-/Ausruestungsdepot). They were primarily issued to trained replacement troops being sent out to the front. Only in a few limited cases were these helmets issued to occupation duty troops. These troops made the following observations:
a) Felt helmets. The felt spike helmets are light, fit well an dare comfortable. One disadvantage experienced by the troops is that these helmets soak up water from rain and snow and become heavier, then stretch out and lose their original shape. Another problem is that the felt helmet provides little protection against thrust and slash wounds from edged weapons.
b) The tin ersatz helmets
The metal helmets are not as light as the felt helmet and does not fit well…however they offer the following advantages: they are more durable an d provide some degree of protection against thrust and slash wounds by edged weapons. We recommend that the tin helmets be fitted with a felt insert in the liner to lessen the pressure against the wearer’s head and to allow sweat to be soaked up.
II.
1) The reports from the troops about the advantages and disadvantages of the tin helmets confirm that when the temperature is 10 C or higher the helmet retains heat. However it was also noted that when exposed to strong sunshine at mid summer that the helmet conducts heat and becomes uncomfortable. However this type of helmet provides some degree of protection against thrust and slash wounds from edged weapons.
2) The III. Army Corps prefers the felt helmet and requests that in order to eliminate the water absorption problem from rain and snow that the felt helmets be treated with shellac so that they are waterproof. After a presentation is made on this information a sample of such a shellacked felt spike helmet should be provided to the Ministry of War.