DAK-Palm Tree and Swastica

[Jack T.]

My question is about Afrika Corp. headgear which contain the Palm Tree and Swastica. My father who fought with Patton in North Africa said he saw a few of these on "dead Germans." "Mostly on pith helmets." I have seen a few of these on the tan metal helmets, but never on a Pith helmet. Are these insignia "unofficial" or just fantasy from some old "Desert Rats" reruns? Or outright fakes?

[Ty Smith]

Hi Jack,
In my opinion, the ones seen today - they are all outright fakes.

Not saying they didn't exist, but I have never seen an original steelhelmet with that insignia.

We'll see what the others say,

[Perry Floyd]

I've never seen a factory made shield or decal. From the photo's I've seen they were hand painted..

[Larry Marcella]

I believe they also had stencils that were used.
Larry

[Peter_Suciu]

I'd have to say I think the actual number of helmets with the real DAK stencilled insignia would be very small. I'm betting there was a stencil for a motorcycle sidecar or something and some of the troops stencilled their helmets. Movies, comic books, action figures and TV shows make it seem like it was common but it doesn't seem that way.

Furthermore, after reading this topic I thumbed through three different books on the DAK yesterday including an Osprey uniform book and I came across NOT one example of a helmet with the stencil.

[Larry Marcella]

Peter,
You are probably right about the use for the stencil...vehicles and other equipment. I have seen one M42 with the stencil version of the palm tree on it that looked legit, but who knows. One thing for sure, if there are any such creatures, I'm sure they have good homes.
Larry

[JohnB]

DAK stencil

I agree with you all, I've never seen an AK palm tree on a helmet that I was completely comfortable with. (I've seen one that was convincing on a tropical luft helmet, but in retrospect I'm glad I didn't buy it).

I have a Luft 15 liter Aluminum drinking water can with the AK palm tree stenciled on all four sides, and it is legit. Conceivably, that stencil could have been used on a helmet, but I suspect an EM was not at liberty to do that.
John

[Ralph Heinz]

DAK palm tree

I doubt that a stencil for a motorcycle, etc. would have been used on a helmet -- as it would be much too large. Look at wartime photos of motorcycles and you'll see what I mean. I also doubt that German officers had much tolerance for a breach of regulations like painting your own artwork on the OUTSIDE of a helmet. This was not like Viet Nam where you'd see a lot of peace symbols, and even anti-army rhetoric written on cloth camo helmet covers.

Some years ago, I sent letters to about 30 DAK veterans with questions in German about small details of equipment, rings, etc. and one question was specifically about the DAK palm tree and swastika being painted on helmets. None of the men who replied had ever seen this. Admittedly that's a pretty small sampling out of a couple hundred thousand men who served there. That isn't conclusive.

I also asked about the practice of painting helmets tan and their experiences varied with some being issued helmets already painted tan and others painting their own while a couple 7th Pz. officers who served in Tunisia noted that their helmets were standard issue and not camouflaged at all.

I have spent a lot of time looking at wartime photos with a magnifying glass and have never seen a DAK palm tree and swastika painted on a helmet. The decals you see today for sale with this insignia are just fantasy pieces much like the large skull and crossed bones that is supposedly an SS decal.

There is one "however" and that concerns a well documented double decal M35 tan painted helmet with the man's name, unit and DAK palm tree and swastika painted inside the rear apron where it was out of sight. That is INSIDE the helmet -- not on the outside.

I also have a "tropical" canteen with "soldier art" on the pressed wood where a small DAK palm tree and swastika, "Uffz." , "1942", and "90 L" are very lightly carved into the front and then white paint was rubbed into it. This went unnoticed for years because it was hidden behind the web strap. The previous owner hadn't seen it either.

[Matt M]

Here is a tan example......no palm tree though.
Paint is pretty thick so there is no evidence of decals.

I think this helmet may have been used in Africa but just because it is tan does not guarantee it.

[Matt M]

Close up of some wear

[atcase]

Hi to all,
Here is a shot of my tan S/D just this minute taken so quality not to hot !!


Ashley

[atcase]

Another
Ashley

[atcase]

One of liner
Ashley

[Perry Floyd]

Matt any trace of decals? Is it a reissue?

[George Stimson]

Just for looking at....

From Floyd R. Tubbs' Stahlhelm (1971). Described as an "Africa Korps Helmet - M-35 helmet, brown color with painted insignia on left."



George