Why so many IJA helmets missing the star?

[keith]

Why do so many Japanese Army helmets have the star missing? Were these taken by American troops that just left the shell behind?

[GoForBroke]

Yes, that's one explanation. Think there's some reference to that in several good books like Eugene Sledge's 'With the Old Breed'. Also, the star is a focal point on helmets and lot of them got messed with over the years. Some even popped off from rust and age where the prongs were attached in the back.

[keith]

Why are so many missing liners? is it because the tropical climates some were in rotted them, or did the troops tend to cut them out due to battle damage?
It just seems like, by proportion, there are far fewer really decent Japanese lids compared to the German ones.

[GoForBroke]

Probably many reasons why this appears to be the case. In many cases, environmental conditions where the helmet sat for years was a factor that caused liners to rot out when after a helmet sat for years. Extreme conditions in basements, attics and various areas of the country are examples. Also, some helmets were picked up in the field after lying out for weeks, months or even years in harsh conditions. Those liners were in bad condition , rotted, and fell out. Because of the construction/design, once the liner ring in a Japanese helmet rots out and the threads go, the whole thing is usually in pieces and you have 3 liner pads with or without broken 'fingers' with whatever pieces are still dangling from a crown string and a liner ring that's in 2-3 pieces. German helmets had that metal ring that helped reinforce and give strength but the top portion of those like the 'area of the fingers' is often damaged.

[Paul G]

I think it was a convenient, lightweight souvenir to take home.

PG-

[Dennis J]

Why so many IJA missing the star

I think all the above applies.I have talked to vets that have told me they took the stars because the helmet was a pain in the ass to carry around from one place to another.Most that had just the star said that was from a KIA enemy.I bought several that had the stars but it was hard to find one with a complete liner and c/s.It is even harder to find a complete helmet with the cover,liner and complete c/s.I was told that if you find one with the c/s cut that it was most likely from a KIA.There is a marine vet who I have known forever that has 4 complete JLF helmets that are complete with cover,star and c/s that said he will sell them to me when is ready.He told me this many times over the years and I never ask for them as people like him do not like that and you piss them off and they had rather give to somebody else than you.I think I will stop by today and wish him Merry Christmas and see if he is ready now.It has been 5 years since I last talked to him about the helmets but I see him all the time.

Happy Holidays
Dennis J

[ROBB]

Good luck Dennis . I have seen among a group of British vet bring backs 2 helmet stars , fighting in the jungle and having to carry everything everywhere makes you think do I want to carry this helmet around ? no .Rob