Ep 116: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Tom Spier P4 on hmTv

Episode 116: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and Guest Tom Spier (Part 4)

In this compelling fourth installment of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli is joined once again by military historian and collector Tom Spier for an in-depth exploration of British military helmets from World War I and World War II.

Tom showcases rare pieces from his extensive collection, including the iconic Brodie helmet, the Mark III "turtle" helmet used on D-Day, British paratrooper helmets, dispatch rider helmets, and tanker models from the Royal Tank Corps. Through fascinating anecdotes and historical insights, Tom breaks down the evolution of helmet design—highlighting materials, structural innovations, and adaptations for changing battlefield needs.

Together, Richard and Tom trace how helmet advancements were influenced by combat realities, global alliances, and the need for better protection amidst rising casualties. The conversation extends to postwar modifications, global usage by Commonwealth nations, and even comparisons with American and German counterparts.

Whether you're a student of history, a military enthusiast, or simply intrigued by the tools of war, this episode offers a captivating look at how a simple piece of gear carried the weight of survival—and a nation’s resilience—on its steel shell.

Transcript

Episode 116: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and Guest Tom Spier (Part 4) on hmTv

Richard Acritelli:
Welcome back here to hmTv and The Fog of War and Humanity. I have Tom Spier back with us for another fascinating episode on military helmets. In this segment, we’ll be focusing mostly on British military helmets from World War II. Tom has an impressive collection, and he’s brought in several examples today to walk us through.

Tom Spier:
Thanks, Rich. Right in front of me here is a helmet that's rooted in World War I. A man named John Brodie developed what collectors know as the Brodie helmet. This design carried into the Second World War and was widely used by British and Commonwealth forces, even adapted by the Americans for a time.

This particular example is either a Model 1935 or 1936. What’s interesting about it is the spring-loaded chinstrap. There’s literally a spring in the chinstrap. It’s something you often see in photos of British troops after Normandy. Some wore the basic steel shell, while others had camouflage covers. As the design evolved, the spring system was replaced by simpler elastic straps.

The liners also developed—metal or rubber buffers between the liner band and the steel shell helped reduce blunt force trauma. These helmets weren’t just used by the British. The Israelis bought surplus, the Dutch manufactured their own postwar versions, and they popped up globally. It’s a very functional design.

Richard Acritelli:
What really stands out is the longevity. For Britain, which controlled a quarter of the globe at its height, this helmet ended up everywhere. You can find collectors who specialize only in these.

Tom Spier:
Absolutely. You’ll find all sorts of variations—different countries, manufacturers, minor tweaks. Some were even used by Americans before the M1 helmet came into standard use.

Richard Acritelli:
How does the British design compare to the helmets used by other major nations like Germany or France?

Tom Spier:
It’s a more open design—it protects mostly the crown of the head. But post-World War I, the helmet got heavier, and stronger rivets and a replaceable liner system were introduced. Instead of a fixed rivet, there’s a screw and nut system that makes maintenance easier. The construction became more rugged.

Some examples, like this one here, may have come from South Africa or New Zealand. Even the camouflage netting used in Europe shows the evolution. In places like Africa, the helmets were painted, while in Europe they used nets or covers for concealment.

Richard Acritelli:
And in the U.S., we started with similar helmets during peacetime exercises in places like Louisiana and the Carolinas.

Tom Spier:
Right, and by the early stages of WWII, we moved on to the M1 helmet, which offered more protection. The British helmet protected the top well, but the M1 had depth and covered more of the sides and back.

Richard Acritelli:
So even the British evolved, eventually designing what’s known as the “turtle” helmet?

Tom Spier:
Exactly. That’s the Mark III. It offered more coverage and was used at Normandy. There were several versions—this one here has a flat finish more like what was used at Normandy, while this version has a snap-in liner system. It's easier to manage in the field.

Richard Acritelli:
Were some of these changes driven by high casualty rates?

Tom Spier:
I think so. They knew they needed better protection. Especially with the heavy burden they carried before the U.S. fully joined the war. These helmets evolved out of necessity—safer, easier to produce, more field-adaptable. For example, the dispatch rider’s helmet looks like a paratrooper’s but was made for motorcycle use. You’ll see those post-D-Day as well.

Richard Acritelli:
And then you’ve got the British tanker helmets.

Tom Spier:
Yeah, the Royal Tank Corps used these. Different designs, but they all focused on protecting from bumps inside tanks, not bullets. Some even had mounts for communication devices. They were essential in places like North Africa, Sicily, and later France.

Richard Acritelli:
Is there one helmet you wish you had in your collection?

Tom Spier:
Maybe a rare prototype or two, but honestly, once you get something, you enjoy it and move on to the next. A friend of mine said it best—once you have it, you stop longing for it.

Richard Acritelli:
You’ve seen some of the best collections out there?

Tom Spier:
Yes—Laguna Beach, Plymouth, Connecticut—these guys had thousands of pieces. One guy had helmets throughout his home, another had a whole barn. Their knowledge was encyclopedic. Some had original U.S. M1 prototypes. It was humbling to see.

Richard Acritelli:
If the Pentagon came to you and asked for advice on helmet design, based on your knowledge, what would you say?

Tom Spier:
Honestly, I think today’s helmets are fantastic. They’re tailored for different roles—Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, each has their own design with mounts for gear, night vision, comms. And they’re lighter, stronger. Way beyond the Kevlar helmets of a couple decades ago.

Richard Acritelli:
We weren’t ready post-9/11, and helmets quickly had to adapt in Iraq and Afghanistan. The casualties pushed that evolution, much like what we’re seeing now in Ukraine.

Tom Spier:
Exactly. Helmets had to change. You see features like Velcro-back pads to help with blunt trauma. We’ve come a long way since the M1 helmet days.

Richard Acritelli:
Are there still countries holding onto German WWII helmets?

Tom Spier:
Some—Finland had a bunch, relined them. I even have one that came out of Afghanistan, originally German, relined by the Afghans decades later. That helmet has layers of history.

Richard Acritelli:
And you’ve got some incredible British paratrooper helmets too?

Tom Spier:
Yes—used in Normandy, in films like A Bridge Too Far. You’ll see Mark I and Mark II versions, different chinstrap systems, liners. One of my favorites still. I picked one up in Europe that turned out to be a relined British Mark I reissued as a Danish dispatch rider’s helmet.

Richard Acritelli:
When it comes to your collection, is there a type—airborne, motorcycle, infantry, armor—that you favor?

Tom Spier:
Hard to pick. Depends on the mood. But I do find the Marine WWII helmets with camouflage patterns fascinating. They were used in the Pacific, and we’ve even identified flag-raisers at Iwo Jima based on those helmet covers.

Richard Acritelli:
That’s incredible. Well, Tom, thank you again. It’s always a pleasure having you here at The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv. You’ve got an extraordinary depth of knowledge, and we’re lucky to have access to your insights.

Tom Spier:
Thank you, Rich. Always happy to be here.

Richard Acritelli:
We’ll be bringing Tom back again in future episodes. If you want to learn more about the hidden stories of the tools of war, keep tuning in. Until next time, this is Richard Acritelli with The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv.