GIs and chin straps, a unsolved mystery

[Wellington]

A stilly question from a guy never been in the armed forces.

Seen The Longest Day after years again und Band of Brothers for the first time, I noticed a detail. Where as the Germans and Brits use the chin straps of their helmets, the GIs never use them!?

I expect beiing hit by a bullet at the helmet, it would be usfull if the helmet stay on the head to protects the soldier.

After scrolling though some historic pictures, it seems thats correct.

Your opinion? A strange rule of the Us forces? Stupid error in the movies and tv shows?

[Grumpy Gnome]

When I was in (1988 to 2000) there was a constant push to make sure soldiers wore their chinstrap with various remarks about John Wayne for those caught not wearing it snugly fastened (and with the spare pull tabs taped down.... seeing actors not doing this in tv shows/movies drives my inner NCO crazy). But we were wearing the k-pot (Kevlar “Fritz” helmet) by then.

I recall asking the very same question about steel pots (the older, iconic helmet of WW2 fame) and told two things. Lack of discipline for something that was annoying and that soldiers feared an neck injury from a strapped helmet receiving a blow from small arms fire or explosive force.

A quick google search backed up my hazy memory.

https://www.army.mil/article/221776/the_m1_helmet_the_soldiers_helmet

And from Wiki...

“ soldiers wore the webbing chinstraps unfastened or looped around the back of the helmet and clipped together. This practice arose for two reasons: First, because hand-to-hand combat was anticipated, and an enemy could be expected to attack from behind, reach over the helmet, grab its visor, and pull. If the chinstrap were worn, the head would be snapped back, causing the victim to lose balance, and leave the throat and stomach exposed to a knife thrust. Secondly, many men incorrectly believed that a nearby exploding bomb or artillery shell could cause the chinstrap to break their neck when the helmet was caught in its concussive force, although a replacement buckle, the T1 pressure-release buckle, was manufactured that allowed the chinstrap to release automatically should this occur. In place of the chinstrap, the nape strap inside the liner was counted on to provide sufficient contact to keep the helmet from easily falling off the wearer's head.[22]”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_helmet

My personal experience is that soldiers may have said they were worried about injury but the reality is more likely fashion and avoiding irritation.

Media such as films portrayed the wearing of chinstraps as something for recruits and by the book officers. Headgear in the 40’s and 50’s in particular was commonly worn in a jaunty, tilted to the side of the head or tipped back from the brow manner. My Dad usually wore hats like this.

And whilst I liked wearing a properly secured helmet it was admittedly at times annoyingly uncomfortable.

[cuprum]

The stories that a bullet hitting a helmet breaks a soldier's neck is a myth:



And here is just an interesting study on the effectiveness of the helmet shape in the Second World War.

http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/intelligence-report/steel-helmets.html

[Harry Faversham]

In every war film I've ever seen, the Yanks spend more time holding their helmets on, than shooting at the Germans!

[Rick F]

Trying to run with a helmet that isn't fastened up properly is a nightmare, on the other side of the coin, the most morale sapping thing in the world is fastening a cold, wet chin strap at 4am on a February morning when someone's just whispered "your stag"!

[Sir_Theo]

Is it in Band of Brothers when one of the characters discusses this? I think they mention the issue with explosions and the possibility of it snapping your neck. It seems from reading online and testimony of veterans that this was a handy excuse and the real reason was that the strap was uncomfortable. That sounds exactly like the sort of thing soldier's would do!

Its an interesting discussion. I've always just thought it said a lot more about the US forces in ww2 compared to others (the British for example) and how preoccupation with grooming standards, drill discipline etc on campaign was different. I always liked a scene from the film Anzio (albeit thats a film from the 60s) where the British troops march through the streets in step, and then the Americans come sauntering after them. I have no idea if that would be realistic or typical. Its fascinating hearing from actual veterans (of which I know there are a few on this forum) and experts (ditto!) On these sorts of things.

[Eclaireur]

@Wellington - I've seen this urban myth in British accounts also, which may be why you see many pictures of British soldiers with the chinstrap fastened over the front rim of the helmet. I think with the US helmets people sometimes confused the strap across the back of it, which held the liner inside the the steel pot, with the chin strap, though I'm not doubting for a moment that many left the chin strap undone for the reason you put forward.

@Rick.W do you recall the reputation earned by the CG of the 1st Cavalry Division during the 1991 Gulf War? He rigorously enforced the orders for soldiers to wear their helmets, with chin strap, at all times, including when they are heading off to the bathroom. Led to them earning the nickname 1st Kevlar Division     

[Ray Rivers]

Mel Gibson stateside, on parade:



Mel Gibson Vietnam, fighting:



 

[Wellington]

Thanks a lot. So it seems its a motive of pop culture with much more than a grain of truth in it. Actually it seems based on historic facts.

@Sir_Theo
I only remember that a sergeant tells a recruit how to hold his rifle during the jump, to avoid breaking his legs.

From my experience of snow booarding, it a very very stupid idea not using the straps.

 

[Grumpy Gnome]

Rick F. Spot on mate.

I served in the US Army but I did four months with the Royal Welch Fusiliers whilst serving in the Berlin Brigade. Despite the Berlin Brigade being more strict on uniform appearance than any other unit I served in, whilst in garrison we were less strict than the RWF but more strict when in the field. How this may compare to WW2 is anybody’s guess.

That said, every time I think about my time in the US Army compared to my time in the British Army I think of this clip from the Devil’s Brigade illustrating some differences between the US and Canadian Army....



I was considered by some of my men to be a bit of a “by the book” martinet... and I wonder how much of that was down to Berlin being my first duty assignment.... but the uniform standards I have seen on so many serving soldiers since I left in 2000, US and UK, infuriates my professional NCO sensibilities.

And yes Wellington not wearing the straps has always felt stupid to me too!

[Harry Faversham]

I have no idea if that would be realistic or typical.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2017. The USAAF Band marched off the square with the Highlander's Pipes and Drums behind, impressive. From where we were sat we could see behind the grandstand as the two units made their way back to the Castle, out of the public eye. The Yanks came ambling along first in two's and threes all playing on the their mobile phones, instruments tucked under their arms looking like bread sticks in super market sweep... an absolute shower!
Next came the Highlander's Pipes and Drums in perfect step... a Drill Sergeant's wet dream come true!
Does that answer yer question old bean, as to wot constitutes real Sowjers???!!!

[Wellington]

 

[Grumpy Gnome]

I have to clarify, I have made some broad generalizations based on my opinions formed from my experiences. I have served in high speed, low drag units with high standards and absolute shitbird units that were a disgrace. Whilst I value uniform appearance and drill discipline, a soldier or unit can not be judged on those things alone. Nor have I found US or UK troops universally better or worse across the board.

Whilst I personally dislike the cowboy tough guy “this is my safety” attitude I have seen some spit and polish elite troops perform badly in the field or in real crisis situations. Hooah badges alone do not make a great soldier. I recall for example one real shitbird who I constantly caught wearing his BDU cap instead of helmet, including on a firing range, because he thought his Ranger tab meant he was immune to head wounds.

I’ve seen US troops best UK troops in exercises and I have seen it the other way around. I have seen US troops beat UK troops in a bar fight and the other way around. As a security guard in the US I have fought against US soldiers and UK soldiers at various times. As a cop in the UK I have fought against UK soldiers, although admittedly I do not recall ever fighting a US soldier as a UK cop. I have fought Royal Welch Fusiliers, Paras and Royal Marine Commandos. I would not say nationality alone made any difference. Some were good, some were not. Some were highly disciplined, some were not. Stereotypes can be fun but they tend to be lazy fun.

How good is a soldier if they wear a chin strap or march in step? A debate many soldiers, NCO’s and officers have had, continue to have and I am sure will always have.

I‘d like to hear more about what you think constitutes real soldiers though Harry Faversham.

Edit: Eclaireur, sorry mate I forgot to reply. I did not go to the Gulf nor do I recall much of 1st Cav other than bad jokes about a horse never rode and a river never crossed (inter-unit rivalry was fierce when I was in). But that kind of General and that kind of nickname does not surprise me! Helmet, rifle and LBE (load bearing equipment, ie webbing) even to the latrine was something constantly hammered home with me in Berlin.

[Ray Rivers]

Does that answer yer question old bean, as to wot constitutes real Sowjers???!!!

Well, the UK is a bit different isn't it? They seem to enjoy the pomp and circumstance of marching about.

In my experience, the most decorated folks I have ever seen weren't "Sowjers" they were Corpsman.

 

[jon_1066]

I understood the idea was that an explosion could break your neck.  That this may well not happen was irrelevant to the soldiers at the time when it was perceived to be so.  The films therefore got the appearance correct.

A helmet in WWII would not prevent penetration by a bullet.  They were to protect against shrapnel.