M 37 Helmet found in Crete!!!

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

Recycling WW2 items in Crete was very common. After the German occupation, all the remaining material that were left by the German army, took its place in everyday life!!!
Crete paid a heavy price in WW2 and most of the population was poor. I have seen many strange modifications especially on helmets concerning second use by civilians after the war. For instance i have seen m38 helmet used as a bucket in a well and other m38s used as plants....In Agia village, near prison valley there was an old woman who had at least 10 para helmets as plants....Also the silk from the parachutes was used in order to make clothes and many more. When i have the time i will post a thread regarding recycled paratrooper items in Crete.

Same things in Sicily after the war, many helmet were reissued as tools and parachute silk used to do clothes. There were also the use to steal the boots to the died soldiers and use them for daily use. This is also another cruel side of the war...
Regarding the helmet, object of this thread, I don't see any problem thinking and imagining that it has been used in Crete. As many other members said, in war, everything is possible and I totally agree with Sturm or JL to leave the helmet as is if you don't have any experience to clean relics.
Thanks for posting and sharing with us.

[Kelly w]

I'm more convinced now thanks to skarts explanations, after all he lives there and I don't.

[David Lenk]

Not an M37 but photo evidence of re-use/re-issue?

Graves from Crete 1941.

Obj. Kissmann II./FJR.3 (left)
Obj. Herbst II./FJR.3 (right)

Regards
David

[WalterB]

Not an M37 but photo evidence of re-use/re-issue?

Graves from Crete 1941.

Obj. Kissmann II./FJR.3 (left)
Obj. Herbst II./FJR.3 (right)

Regards
David

Very interesting picture David. Thanks for sharing.

[skarts]

WOW! Very nice! Seems to be prison valley....This is the first pic of this helmet, i see from Crete. Very interesting. Thanks for posting

[David Lenk]

Skarts,

Yes this is from the prison valley. When I originally saw this post I was of the opinion never say never and this photo speaks volumes.

Regards
David