Finnish soldiers with decaled M40 and M35 Stahlhelms

[Waffenmeister44]

The third image contains a M42 but without a decal. The others include mainly single decal M40's and a double decal M35. I presume the 4th image includes a M35 in the centre but not certain. The 2nd image contains a M35 with a tri colour visible. I'd like to know why and when they recieved DECALED M40's and M35's in 1944.

Thanks!

 

[Hambone]

SA was provided large numbers of German M.35/40/42 during the Continuation War. Probably some were siphoned off of German depots, not manufacturers. Perhaps after the decal drop order in August 1943 the Finns were provided some of those German helmets factory decaled so that they would not have the labor of removing them. Who knows. I know that frontline Finnish forces used a large number of German Imperial M.16/17/18, M.1938 Hungarian contract helmets (identified by "DR" in the lot number), Czech Vz.32 helmets, and of course, German M.35/40/42, and Italian M.33s are also seen. Most Finnish helmets were reworked, relined, repainted, postwar.

Good site: https://www.jaegerplatoon.net/MAIN.html

Looks like the helmet section is being updated.

 

[Waffenmeister44]

SA was provided large numbers of German M.35/40/42 during the Continuation War. Probably some were siphoned off of German depots, not manufacturers. Perhaps after the decal drop order in August 1943 the Finns were provided some of those German helmets factory decaled so that they would not have the labor of removing them. Who knows. I know that frontline Finnish forces used a large number of German Imperial M.16/17/18, M.1938 Hungarian contract helmets (identified by "DR" in the lot number), Czech Vz.32 helmets, and of course, German M.35/40/42, and Italian M.33s are also seen. Most Finnish helmets were reworked, relined, repainted, postwar.

Good site: https://www.jaegerplatoon.net/MAIN.html

Looks like the helmet section is being updated.

I had thought the same thing, or that they were collected from the area.
Thanks for reply Hambone!

 

[Waffenmeister44]

SA was provided large numbers of German M.35/40/42 during the Continuation War. Probably some were siphoned off of German depots, not manufacturers. Perhaps after the decal drop order in August 1943 the Finns were provided some of those German helmets factory decaled so that they would not have the labor of removing them. Who knows. I know that frontline Finnish forces used a large number of German Imperial M.16/17/18, M.1938 Hungarian contract helmets (identified by "DR" in the lot number), Czech Vz.32 helmets, and of course, German M.35/40/42, and Italian M.33s are also seen. Most Finnish helmets were reworked, relined, repainted, postwar.

Good site: https://www.jaegerplatoon.net/MAIN.html

Looks like the helmet section is being updated.

You'll maybe find this interesting, post ww2 late 40's or early 50's the German decals were ordered to be removed whenever the Allied Control Commision kept complaining about them! Quite funny but they likely didn't care about them probably because the Swastika has been used with their airforce until recently aswell.

 

[Hambone]

You'll maybe find this interesting, post ww2 late 40's or early 50's the German decals were ordered to be removed whenever the Allied Control Commision kept complaining about them! Quite funny but they likely didn't care about them probably because the Swastika has been used with their airforce until recently aswell.

Finland's air force quietly drops swastika symbol

The force, which has been using a swastika in its emblem since 1918, said it had caused misunderstandings.

www.bbc.com