Australian soldier 1941 - what helmet?

[Gran Sasso]

What helmet was used by aussie solders at crete in 1941? Wanna add one to my collection.
Some say they used british ones by then, some say theri own made - if so, how to tell its an early one?

Thanks for any help - and if you have tipps where to find one...

[SMP]

Hi Patrick,


If you specifically to want to represent an Australian helmet , then you need a MKII Brodie made by the Commonwealth Steel Company - since they were the only company to make Australian Brodies . The were all raw edged . They started making them in 1939 , so you would need to find one dated pre 1941 for your display. Early ones are hard to find.


http://brendonshelmets.weebly.com/australia-mkii.html


I am sure some Australian units also wore British made Brodies, in which case you could use any pre 1941 dated British Army helmet with smooth paint on the inside, and rough, non-reflective Khaki paint on the outside. You could add an Australian made net to show it was from an Australian unit.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Australia...53.m1438.l2649


Steve

[Gran Sasso]

Thanks Steve!
So a early aussie helmets also always dated? If so, where?

[SMP]

Thanks Steve!
So a early aussie helmets also always dated? If so, where?

As in the link above.


Here is a 1940 dated shell. The liner would be ink stamped on the band.

[SMP]

Australian on Crete with same net as above.

[SMP]

More Australians on Crete. Hard to tell what type the helmets are, but note the net.

[nbroadarrowz]

Australian on Crete with same net as above.

The man in post #5 is a New Zealander, you can tell by the black and white NEW ZEALAND national title sewn just below the shoulder seam.
Also he is wearing a battle dress blouse whereas the Australians were wearing the 4 pocket service dress jacket.
Barry

[SMP]

The man in post #5 is a New Zealander, you can tell by the black and white NEW ZEALAND national title sewn just below the shoulder seam.
Also he is wearing a battle dress blouse whereas the Australians were wearing the 4 pocket service dress jacket.
Barry

Thanks , Barry.
He is listed as Australian by the Australian Army Museum, but you are probably right !

[Gran Sasso]

As in the link above.


Here is a 1940 dated shell. The liner would be ink stamped on the band.

Thanks again - I asked if I have seen a few unmarked ones while travelling australia, so I wonder what period those were, or if their shell would be marked on a different spot.

Great fotos BTW!

[Gran Sasso]

Thanks , Barry.
He is listed as Australian by the Australian Army Museum, but you are probably right !

Good to learn even the biggest museums are sometimes wrong

[helmhunter]

Hi Grand Sasso,

Here are some australian liners, early (1940 - missing crown pad) at top and later one (1942) bottom.

Hope it can help.

Regards,

Phil.