start of my 1918 project- test painting trench raiders

[tin shed gamer]

I'll have a look,The trouble is the stage of the war there on heads is when things are moving fast and no ones got time to pose,followed by things going down hill when no ones in the mood to pose.

[Metternich]

I haven't seen any contemporaneous photos of German infantry actually wearing camoflauged helmets (not per se evidence that there were none, but I have seen hundreds of WW I photos, and can't remember seeing any such).  That said, I think it likely that at least members of regulation Stosstrupp battalions did.  They were often used to test out new equipment; they didn't serve regularly in the trenches (being held back as an Army asset, utilized as training detachments, for raids, and for assaults) and so would have had greater access to such rear area supplies as paint; and Luddendorf took a special interest in them.  It is more likely that Luddendorf's instruction to paint helmets was a regularization of a successful practice that at least some troops had developed and used than that it was an untried idea that the General Staff had come up with.  But how many regular infantry units found access to the necessary paint in the four months between the order and the Armistice is another matter.    

[tin shed gamer]

I think such images are more likely to be taken by personal camera's rather than official ones as camo heads on mass don't look pritty in a photo (not neat and Soldier like! they don't shine theres no spit and polish involved.You can't be brave soldiers hiding in camo.) the early twentith centurary mind is a completely different animal.

[Cessna]

Here's a photo, from Bundesarchiv:



And another, from the Imperial War Museum:

Link

I have scanned through perhaps thousands of WWI photos. I can probably count the number of camouflaged helmets I've seen in the dozens at most. This leads me to conclude that they were extremely rare, but they did exist. The photos also lead me conclude that the camouflage was applied individually – that is, I've never seen a unit wherein ALL of the soldiers in the photo conclusively have it.

I tend to doubt that they were more common for Stosstruppen; I suspect that this is a bit of "received information." If anything, they appear to be more present in artillery units, as shown in the photos above. Those two photos may well be of the same group of men, but in one photo they are wearing packs, in the other they aren't, so I am not certain one way or the other.


Edit: Here's another:



Again, almost certainly from a training exercise, but it shows the camouflage helmets clearly. And:



The photo is credited as "Second Battle of the Aisne, France, 1917," but I don't have proof of that. They're pretty clearly using an unofficial painted camouflage here.

And - not used for portrait photos because the camouflage isn't appropriately spit-and-polish?

[tin shed gamer]

A little miss quote there.never mentioned. portrait' s ,only private camera's,just because an image is in a state collection,or printed in book does not mean its a state sanctioned photo or official,Even if taken by a regimental photographer.Thousands of camera's were taken to war by men on all sides.The point of this whole topic is simple and clear .Can I paint helmets camo,and were they worn?
The answer is yes you can and your already have.Yes they were worn,No one can tell you other wise(unless they have an image of ever helmet worn by every man, on all fronts for every day of the war!)No one has come up with an image of one in use at the front(inclueding me,and nodoubt someone will at some point)
They are a nice start to your trench raider's l really do hope this doesn't put you off posting more images as your project grows.I'll go back to first comment There your toy's you enjoy them your way! Mark

[Cessna]

No one has come up with an image of one in use at the front(inclueding me,and nodoubt someone will at some point)

I don't think this proves anything. As has been established, there's no doubt that they existed.

[pocoloco]

Good looking start for your trench raiders, hope to see more of them soon! 

Since there's a bit of discussion regarding the German helmets here, just a quick question regarding WW1 German minis, has any manufacturer done minis wearing the Stirnpanzer?

[tin shed gamer]

I get the feeling you'd argue in an empty room.So if you still feel the need miss quote to raise a point that no ones disputing then feel free.As its Olyreeds figures that should be the focus so I' m walking away from this.
Oly if you'd like any advice on painting then feel free to PM me.If you do post more picture's Then I'd start a new topic as this clearly isn't what you intended when you first posted your figures.
Pocoloco,don't waste your money,its very easy to change a helmet to the frontal armour
just place a small ball of green stuff(or what ever you use)in the centre over the peak of the helmet and with a wet finger smooth it to cover the front of the helmet,it will follow the shape of the helmet.when dry take a new blade and rock it over the top of the helmet from ear to ear.any over hang is trimed back to the edge of the helmet underneath.
if you don't have time to try it .Then take a look at Great War miniatures. I'm pritty sure they've covered this.
all the best Mark

[Metternich]

I think the men in photo 1 are artillerymen (who, serving in rear areas would have had access to paint - some militaria collectors have surmised that most authentic camo'ed helmets belonged to artillery) as might also be true of the fellow in photo 4.  Photo 3 is very interesting, as it looks like it is of troops actually in the field (vice the squad in photo 2 who, as you noted appear to be in training.  Alternatively, photo 2 could be of a demonstration squad, in which case they would have the "very latest" for display).