Ep 115: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Tom Spier P3 on hmTv

Episode 115: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Tom Spier (Part 3)

In this captivating continuation of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli sits down once again with military historian and collector Tom Spier for Part 3 of their in-depth exploration into WWII helmet history. This episode shifts focus from American gear to the helmets worn by German and French forces during the war—particularly those encountered by Allied troops in Normandy.

Tom walks listeners through the evolution of German helmet design, from the refined Model 1935 to the raw-edged M42, explaining how changes in manufacturing reflected the pressures of a prolonged conflict. He also reveals rare details about camouflage patterns, unit decals, and the challenges of identifying authentic pieces in a world of reproductions and forgeries. The conversation extends to French Model 1926 helmets, their role in both world wars, and how national identity and military pride were built into their very shape.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a military buff, or simply curious about the artifacts of war, this episode offers a rich and accessible lens into the material culture of WWII. Don’t miss Tom’s personal stories of acquiring these relics—from flea markets to garbage bins—and his insights on how these objects help preserve the memory of a global struggle.

Next episode: British helmets and the Commonwealth legacy in WWII.

Transcript

Episode 115 - The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Tom Spier (Part 3) | hmTv

Richard Acritelli:
Welcome back to The Fog of War and Humanity here on Humanity TV. I'm Rich Acritelli, and today we continue our fascinating conversation with Tom Spier. In our previous episodes, we explored Tom’s remarkable military helmet collection, focusing on American helmets from air, land, and sea forces. Now, we’re shifting gears to the helmets worn by German soldiers who faced the Allies in Normandy and beyond.

Tom, we’ve got a helmet right in front of us—can you tell us what we’re looking at?

Tom Spier:
Sure. This one is a German Model 1935 Luftwaffe helmet. You can still see the Luftwaffe eagle on one side and the national colors on the other. I actually picked this one up at a flea market in Brooklyn maybe thirty years ago.

What’s interesting is that the Germans used three main helmet models in WWII: the M35, M40, and M42. They also repurposed helmets from conquered nations—Dutch, Czech, and so on—often slapping a decal on and calling it their own.

Richard:
So the M35, like this one, was the earliest of the bunch?

Tom:
Exactly. You can spot it by the air vent—it's a separate piece that’s inserted and bent inside to stay in place. It also has a rolled rim, which gives it a smoother edge. By the time they got to the M40, they simplified manufacturing by stamping the vent directly into the shell.

Richard:
And this one here, with the camouflage paint—what model is that?

Tom:
That’s an M40 helmet. The camouflage paint is authentic, likely added in the field. It’s interesting because every camouflage pattern was unique. Soldiers would use whatever materials were available—chicken wire, bread bags, foliage—to make their helmets blend in.

Richard:
Was it common for American GIs to bring these home?

Tom:
Absolutely. Helmets were among the most commonly collected war souvenirs. Some ended up in garages, others in garbage bins. One of mine literally came out of my neighbor’s trash over forty years ago. A lot of these artifacts could’ve been lost forever.

Richard:
What about the M42? That's the one with the raw edge, right?

Tom:
Yep. By 1942, the Germans were cutting corners. The M42 helmet ditched the rolled rim to simplify production. You can see it has a stamped vent like the M40, but the rim is sharp and unrolled. It was quicker and cheaper to make.

Richard:
Were there differences in decals too?

Tom:
Absolutely. Different branches—army, Luftwaffe, SS—all had unique decals. Even within branches, variations existed based on manufacturers. I knew a guy with nearly 500 German helmets. To the untrained eye, they looked the same. To him, each one was different—different makers, decals, shell sizes.

Richard:
So, authenticity can be tricky?

Tom:
Very. Some collectors add genuine decals to unissued helmets to make them appear authentic. You’ve got to be cautious, especially with German helmets. The fakes can be really convincing.

Richard:
Now this one here, the paratrooper helmet—tell us about it.

Tom:
This is likely a Model 1937, the most common German paratrooper helmet. It originally had four chin straps. You’ll notice the liner is still intact. I picked this one up in Holland decades ago. You can tell it’s real by the rolled rim and the stitching—small details that forgeries often miss.

Richard:
And the French helmet—quite a different shape.

Tom:
Yes, that’s a French Model 1926 helmet. It’s a simpler version of their WWI design. French helmets often had national pride built in—different insignia for different units. This model has a venting system at the top. It’s lighter than the German helmets, and it has a very distinct shape.

Richard:
Were these still in use by the time of D-Day?

Tom:
To some extent, yes. After WWII, the French shifted to a helmet style more similar to the American M1, especially in Indochina. But this one would’ve still been in use by soldiers coming ashore with the Free French forces.

Richard:
So helmet design really reflects not just function, but national identity and the arc of a war.

Tom:
Exactly. The Germans refined their designs as the war dragged on. The Americans did the same. The French, knocked out early, didn’t really have a chance to iterate. But each helmet tells a story—of the soldier who wore it, the nation that made it, and the battles it saw.

Richard:
Tom, this has been an incredible dive into history. Next episode, we’ll explore the British military helmets of WWII—used by soldiers who landed alongside Americans and Canadians 81 years ago.

Thanks for joining us again, Tom.

Tom:
My pleasure, Rich. Looking forward to the next one.

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