DAK insignia inside helmet apron

[Ralph Heinz]

John Hodgin asked me to post photos of a documented DAK helmet with the DAK symbol painted inside the apron at the rear. This was in reference to a long thread about helmets with somewhat questionable painted emblems on the outside. My sincere apologies to John for taking so long as I have been away from my computer for weeks and only now got his private email. (Tons of snow outdoors and long hours of work).

I thought it best to start an entirely new thread since no one wants to wade through 4 pages to get to the last posting of photos.

The first photo shows the left side of the double decal M35 helmet of Kurt Roland. I got this helmet about 15 years ago from a man who didn't collect helmets but knew that I collected tropical items and he'd found it in a pawn shop along with several other items the veteran had brought back. The vet had died and his family took his souvenirs to the pawn shop. A tunic had alraady been sold and a Luger was on hold but my friend got the helmet and an arty range finder for me.

[Ralph Heinz]

Right side of Kurt Roland's helmet

Attached is a photo of the right side of Kurt Roland's double decal M35.

[Ralph Heinz]

Inside of Roland's helmet

This photo shows the painting on the rear of the apron of Kurt Roland's helmet. In my library was a copy of Rommel and the Secret War in North Africa 1941-1943 by Janusz Piekalkiewicz and published in 1992 by Schiffer. When my friend, who was a LW collector, sent me some poor photos of the helmet, he included one of the markings (he had no idea what they were)and I went to the book and there was all kinds of information on "Listening Company" (horch - KP.) Third Nachrichten Troop 56. I'd recommend anyone who is interested in the war in N. Africa get a copy of this excellent book.

In short, this intelligence unit was made up of bilingual Germans who listened into British radio messages and reported to Rommel what they learned which was a great deal of important information as the Brits had notoriously poor radio security and radio men were prone to talk in the clear with each other about the condition of their units, losses, etc.

This unit stayed as close as possible to the ever-changing "front lines" and much of Rommel's success is due directly to the fact that he knew what the Brits were doing, going to do and what their weaknesses were. The British higher command finally figured out what had been happening and sent an Australian Brigade to attack them at Tel el Eisa on the night of 9 July 1942 just west of El Alamein. The German intellience unit was destroyed and their radio equipjment captured (and put on display in Egypt). Hauptmann Seebohm, their commander, died of wounds in a British hospital in Alexandria. This raid "was considered the most decisive intelligence action of the whole North African campaign."

The book has a number of previously unpublished photos of the radio listening company at work and after they were captured.

Subsequently, I wrote to Germany for archival information on Kurt Roland which confirmed his service in the unit, his status in the US as a POW and that he died in 1991 in Germany.

[NZMark]

Superb, Ralph.
Mark

[Ralph Heinz]

The vet's other souvenir

I have no idea what type of tunic had been bought before my friend got t the pawn shop and the pawn shop people didn't want to reveal who the vet's family were probably thinking they'd bring in more items. I'm posting one photo of the tan painted artillery range finder that came from the same deceased veteran's things. It has the tactical stencil for the 21st Pz. Div. as well as PZ. ART 155 2/3 KP. 1.

Years later in a Manion's catalog I spotted a document for a year's faithful service in the DAK make out to Obgfr. Kurt Roland for service from 24 April 1941 till 24 April 1942 and listing his unit as HORCHKOMPANIE 3.N./56. It has been submitted by someone in Germany and was misidentified as a LW document though it has a large DAK emblem printed as background on it.

I bid and got it and it was clear that some dealer in Germany had gotten whatever the family of Roland still had and sold the items with this one going to Manion's. When I got it I was able to compare the signature of the officer with that of Hauptmann Seebohm on a document in Piekalkiewicz's book and it was Seebohm's signature.

I thinik it's most likely that the US veteran got Roland's helmet from an Australian or British soldier as the US Army was nowhere near El Alamein but the sale of souvenirs among servicemen was common. Items like this were won and lost in poker games in the desert! I've got two helmets documeted to a US Merchant Marine who traded them from a British sergeant in Naples for instance.

[Adam S.]

Glad this helmet got posted. Absolutely TOP NOTCH! And a one looker as far as authenticating the DAK palm and skirt writing.

[MilitaryCollect]

Hello,

Gorgeous helmet and to a SUPER RARE & FAMOUS unit too! I had a soldbuch to: 3./N.56 -3rd Komp. / Signals (listening) Btl. 56. This was Capt. Alfred Seebohm's unit: Nachrichten-Fern-Aufkl-Kp 621 (Afrika). A very insightful book written about this unit: "Rommel's Intelligence in the Desert Campaign", Hans Otto Behrendt ISBN: 07183-0515-9.

Here's a neat link about this amazing unit's fate:

http://www.ww2f.com/north-africa-wes...ly-1942-a.html

Christopher

[Andy C.]

What a follow up, and Adam is right, that helmet is outstanding!!

[afrikasandman]

simply amazing! Matt

[Paul G]

Great helmet! Thanks for posting!!

PG-

[mandy333]

Wow

Greetings: This is "What dreams are made of" Superb helmet and great provenance..... centerpiece for any collection.
Best Regards
Zeke

[gadaru_kanaru]

Thanks for sharing it! A guy doesn't get to see a helmet like that often.

What happened to Herr Roland?

[anders1940]

The exterior of the helmet looks to be a different colour to the writing etc inside the skirt.
Can you post closer pictures of the exterior.

[DougB]

The exterior of the helmet looks to be a different colour to the writing etc inside the skirt.
Can you post closer pictures of the exterior.

Thats pretty normal.

[John Hodgin]

Now I almost wish I had not asked Ralph to post photos of his helmet. I am drooling all over myself and cannot seem to stop!

This is the "Holy Grail" of DAK helmets and a very rich piece of history from the war in North Africa. Thanks Ralph! What a treasure to see this helmet again!

Frohe Weihnachten,
John