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Helmet straps

• Message 1.Μύ

  Posted by Miranda (U2203130) on Tuesday, 17th January 2006

  US soldiers (at any rate, those of earlier generations) are often shown or depicted with their helmet straps hanging loose, such as in the illustration on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning page here: .
  
  Why is this? It is rarely if ever the case with British soldiers' helmets.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by expat32 (U2025313) on Tuesday, 17th January 2006

  Hi Miranda,
  If the straps are snapped shut a near explosion can remove the helmet and the individuals head along with it. There is a safety device in the strap that is ineffective. So they let the straps hang loose. The airborne (Paras) have an additional chinstrap that is unsnapped after they hit the landing zone.
  
  Cheers. Matt.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Tuesday, 17th January 2006

  Also, if the enemy sneaked up on you, he could by just reaching forward annd grabbing the front of your helmet, strangle you by pulling it upward and backwads.
  

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by expat32 (U2025313) on Tuesday, 17th January 2006

  Also, if the enemy sneaked up on you, he could by just reaching forward annd grabbing the front of your helmet, strangle you by pulling it upward and backwads.
  Μύ
  
  Not with an American Helmet.
  
  Cheers.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Miranda (U2203130) on Thursday, 19th January 2006

  Hello expat & Fred
  
  Thanks very much for your replies. Presumably the design of the British helmets would ahve made them prone to falling off if the straps were left undone?

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Thursday, 19th January 2006

  Could be. Remember though the U S wore the same design up to the outbreak of the Second World War. The Coal skuttle Helmet worn by the Germans was also subject to getting you throat cut or neck broken by pulling back on the front, forcing the rear to dig into the base of your neck leaving your throat wide open to a knife. (Standard Commando training) Thought for the day. The U S helmet of today is a similer design. Does it put the U S soldier in the same position.

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