A WWII German tanker’s winter crash helmet for the Russian Front
Combining a WWII German panzer crash helmet (Schutzmütze) with a regular issue Russian Front fur cap (Pelzmütze) resulted in the German tanker’s winter crash helmet.
The usual German panzer crash helmet, (Schutzmütze)—sans beret—was used to construct this winter helmet for a tanker on the Russian front. It was made by sewing it inside of the regular issue Russian Front fur cap (Pelzmütze).
This particular fur cap was made of brown rabbit fur. An army style eagle cap badge in bright aluminum adorns the turned-up brim. The eagle is secured by three prongs and thread sewn across the legs of the eagle just above the wreath in its talons.
The photo of the interior shows the black oilcloth lining of the panzer crash helmet. Most are familiar with how exposed skin will stick to very cold metal. This improvised helmet would serve to keep the tanker’s heads—especially their ears—from adhering to the extremely cold interior metal of their tank.
These helmets are seldom seen, as most, along with much of the German Army, were lost on the bitter cold plains of the Russian Front.
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Clem graduated from Jesuit Catholic Preparatory School in New Orleans in 1948, joined the US Navy Reserves, served in the US Army Signal Corps during the Korean War and attended the US Merchant Marine Academy.
He served 30 years aboard numerous merchant ships which allowed him to pursue his childhood passion of collecting military insignia. During his seven years of sailing in and out of Vietnam, Clem acquired an unimaginable collection of Vietnam War insignia. Every country’s port was a gold mine of tailor shops and junk stores.
In 1989, Clem took over the Vietnam Insignia Collectors Newsletter from Cecil Smyth. He quickly became the de facto overseer of the hobby.
Clem contributed numerous articles on various military insignia to Military Trader and Military Advisor. Clem died at the age of 87 on 3 February 2018. His knowledge and expertise will be missed. He will long be remembered. — Bill Brooks
