Why did the German paratroopers use a different helmet (Without the rim) to the standard Stahlhelm? Was the jumping smock removed once in combat? Also any sites with good infomation on the Fallschirmjager would be great!
Thanks!
Welcome SS Tiger!
I am no expert, but I had read somewhere that they used a “jumping” helmet so the rim would not get caught in parachute netting.
However, I don’t believe that’s the case. Correct me if I am wrong.
British Army paras still use a different helmet - I think the rim can cause injury on landing, but I’m not certain. I’ll get back to you when I’ve finished work and I can check on that properly.
http://www.fallschirmjager-militaria.com/index2.htm
There’s a link for pictures of the helmet, try Wikipedia though.
Welcome aboard by the way! 
Hello SS Tiger check this thread maybe here you will find some info http://www.ww2incolor.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=616 or this
What happened to your Green Devils signature hanz/Phantom/Clausse?
I lliked that one.
I change it,but maybe i will put it agian dont know.
Thanks for all the posts and the warm welcome!
i have a question
Mussolini was rescued by german paratroopers where they perform a daring mission from a hotel
At the end, the cable car (which is the only transportation in and out) and the plane is damage (because they have to crash land in front of the hotel). The leader of the squard orders a plane to take Mussolini and him. the plane took two of them away, but how does the rest leave and recieve iron cross from hitler later on?
thanks
It would appear the Germans had taken the Cable car station during the mission.
Any plans had to include the taking of the cable car station in the valley to stop any re-inforcements getting through. If Mussolini was being held on the Gran Sasso then it was guaranteed that he was being well guarded.
It was decided to use 12 fully manned DFS-230 light assault gliders for the assault, consisting of several men from Skorzeny’s Friedenthal Battalion and men of the 1st Kompanie, 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, (the Fallschirm - Lehr Battalion), under the command of Oberleutnant Georg von Berlepsch.The remainder of the Battalion under the command of Major Otto-Harald Mors were to travel by road and take the nearby airfield at Aquila and the cable car station in the valley below.
German war correspondents were allowed up to the Gran Sasso after the battle, via the cable car to record the event and many photos and cine recordings were made for propoganda purposes.
The rest of the troops used the funicular railway to get down the mountain, the lower end was held by Student’s Fallschirmjagers under Maj Mors and they departed on the trucks that Mors had arrived in that morning.
References:
“Skorzeny, Hitler’s Commando” - Infield
“Storming Eagles” - Lucas
Regarding the shape of para helmets, BDL was correct the shape of both the German and British head gear was designed to minimise neck injury. Jumping in combat seldome ends in a standing position and a rimmed helmet would result in an a whiplash type injury on impact.
Were there any occasions when they jumped without the Fallschirmjager helmet? Was there any shortage of supplies that forced them to jump with the regular helmet?
I would seriously doubt it as head gear would be essential kit.
I’v seen at least one pic of a Fallschirmjager wearing the Stahlhelm but you have to remember that the Fallschirmjager were, with just a few exceptions, soley used as ground troops after the disaster at Crete for the rest of the war and it was probably just a matter of ‘combat expediency’. If I was a Fallschirmjager and either lost my helmet, or it was ruined by schrapnel or debris, I would also grab a Stahlhelm quik. However, I doubt a Stahlhelm was ever worn by Fallschirmjager on an actual combat jump, unless someone has a pic that shows otherwise.