Helmet badges

[Carol I]

QUOTE

Inerestingly the Romanian NCOs in the photo haven't removed the frontplates on their helmets.

This is indeed surprising as I have heard that front line units removed very quickly the plates when they discovered that they "catch bullets" thus increasing the risk for a fatal wound.

Carol I

[dragos]

QUOTE

This is indeed surprising as I have heard that front line units removed very quickly the plates when they discovered that they \"catch bullets\" thus increasing the risk for a fatal wound.

An interesting theory. I presume the spikes of WW1 helmets were "catching" bombs.

In reality, the dutch helmets were ordered from Holland with the badge of King Carol II already attached, but since later Carol II became unpopular, from the end of 1940 the badges were gradually removed from the helmets.

[Carol I]

The theory is not mine. I have read it somewhere (unfortunately I do not have time to look for it now) and I was wondering if you have also heard of it. It was stressed that the plates were removed both for political reasons (Carol II's popularity or rather his unpopularity) as well as for practical reasons (increased risk for a fatal wound).

The original source did not say exactly how the plate would "catch bullets", but if this is true I could think of two ways. One of them might be that the plates played the role of a "bull's eye" for the enemy snipers (even though I cannot imagine why they would aim at the plate and not at the head or chest). The second one might be that the plates "trapped" the bullets making them spend all their energy onto one point (while only a fraction of the energy is lost in the deflection of the bullets) thus increasing very much the force of the impact.

[Carol I]

QUOTE

I presume the spikes of WW1 helmets were \"catching\" bombs.  :lol:

Your theory for the WWI helmets is quite interesting, but I have a better one. The helmets were gradually taken out of use because those spikes were perfect lightning rods .

[dragos]

As you can see in the picture below, the monogram has a low relief.

*** pic removed as requested by owner ***

This post has been edited by dragos on May 04, 2012 05:23 am

[dragos]

QUOTE

I have heard that front line units removed very quickly the plates when they discovered that they \"catch bullets\" thus increasing the risk for a fatal wound.

This story sounds like superstition to me. I'm sure there were plenty superstitions then.

[Carol I]

QUOTE

This story sounds like superstition to me. I'm sure there were plenty superstitions then.

I agree that there were a lot of superstitions back then and maybe the helmet badge was one of them. But I was wondering if anyone else has heard of it and if there is any truth behind it. On the other hand it could be just an invention of the source I've read, but even this must have been triggered by something. Was the badge story confirmed by any veteran (as a superstition or as a true fact)?

Thanks for the photos.

[SethG]

I've heard about and seen examples of the mongram defaced by soldiers but not removed. However, there is some truth to the theory that it would catch a bullet. Projections or sharp angles on glacis plates (vision ports, etc.) were often found to 'trap' a ricochet back into a direct course, but I can't imagine that anything already being deflected by something as flimsy as a helmet would penetrate if it caught the medallion. Might give the helmet a nasty yank. The theory is sound, but the chance of it actually taking effect in this case seems very small.
Seth

[drillsgt]

All armies have these superstitutions, however in reality such a device on the front of a helmet acts as a perfect aiming point, and head shots are usually killing shots. A bullet catcher among shooters is a metal trap behind the target, and a shiny metal device on the front of a helmet will certainly catch alot of bullets. Garry Owen!!!!

[Carol I]

Thanks for your replies. So there is some truth in the story I've read regarding the helmet badges and therefore it was not a mere legend or an exaggeration.

[peter_suciu]

Is it me or is the Romanian badge a little larger than the Dutch badge?

[peter_suciu]

What is the badge made of, were they all brass? That helmet I just picked up on eBay has a resin badge. Is this a reproduction or were some resin?

[CCJ]

What year were the helmet badges discontinued?

[dragos]

QUOTE

What year were the helmet badges discontinued?

September 1940

[mihai]

QUOTE

QUOTE What year were the helmet badges discontinued? September 1940

it is after the time The King Carol Ⅱ'power was assumed by Antonescu.
Mihai