Originally posted by kevinpre45
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. I don't have a hidden agenda, not trying to deceive anybody, trying to create a demand for a stash of these Dunkelgelb stahlhelms at SS prices...(crazy accusations ) and as Dennis stated I don't own such a helmet
(but have handled/seen these and always been hesitant to get one since they were tainted from the get-go...
) Now with the internet it would be a good exercise to pool all of our thoughts, resources, international leads etc..and get to the the bottom of this mystery if we can...and if we cannot, oh well it was worth a try! Member Bubble was going to dig in some old archives for us after the holidays
.Prague/Protektorat was a huge industrial source for the Reich war machine as we know (Tatra, Bata etc...) and a hotbed for SS presence and activities. (SS-Industry).
The 1942 metal parts Purchase Order confirmation document from the supplier (who also supplied the helmet pins, 1943 ) is obviously a local procurement for a shoe factory (hobnails/heel horseshoes no doubt for boots) and therefor interesting as it proves that local sub suppliers were furnishing parts/raw-materials for local projects in the Protektorat during the war locally ...Makes sense!
So liner pins, if indeed intended for a large refurbishment project of such DunkelGelb stahlhelmen, would have also been supplied during the war locally to meet those work shop needs. (and in 1943 based on the parts date, the year btw the entire SS-Polizei Division was transferred in full Division strength to Greece...the dates coincide?...coincidence perhaps, but the match is worth mentioning!).
The General Gouvernement (occupied Poland) wirtschaftsindustrie-workshops example that I posted earlier proves that such supplies often came from local manufacturing sources and these depots were an extension of that activity, hence the size, no doubt massive and the Prgue Depot complex served as a main distribution center (not just a local needs city based troops depot).
Therefor it makes sense for troops deployed in "special needs theatres" (tropical clothing, mountain gear) to get their kit from Prague, which also had an SS-Gebirgs pionier ausbildungs unit. SS-Ski boots also came from the depot installations, as shown being worn by Prague resistance fighters dresses in full Saharianas in 1945.
The "SS-Bekleidungslager Prag" (SS-Clothing stores Prague) was in fact a complex of 4 installations, ("4 lager" it states) so a massive depot, which explains the amount of materials found in unissued condition, raided by resistance fighters in 1945 and post war some of it adopted by the Czech armed forces.
There was also a "SS-Kleiderkasse" in Prague but that's for private purchases no doubt, like officer kit. They received an allowance for that!
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