Why the change to the Helmet wz31?
Why the change to the Helmet wz31?
I understand the need to standardize equipment, even down to helmets, and this was a particular problem for Poland with the multiplicity of foreign armaments after its independence. But what was the need to switch production to the wz31 from the old German Stahlhelm, was the new helmet that superior?
Re: Why the change to the Helmet wz31?
It was not a question of switching production. AFAIK the German and Austrian helmets were not manufactured in Poland, what there was, was inherited from the partitioning powers. They made up a minority of the helmets available and even with the additional and larger quantity of French helmets and small quantities of various other helmets, there were nowhere near enough to go around (in fact even with the addition of Polish production (wz 28 and wz 31), there were still not enough to fully equip the army and navy by 1939).
Consequently, when it was agreed that helmets were required all round, manufacture of home-grown helmets had to be considered. There was little point in copying an outdated item (there was a reason why the Germans replaced it!) especially as it failed to address an important aspect of helmet design - the identification of the wearer as a member of a particular force. In addition, the German and Austrian Stalhelm was designed as a trench helmet and therefore had the significant disadvantage of excessive weight. By the 30s advances in metallurgy allowed helmets with the same or better impact resistance to be much lighter.
Consequently, when it was agreed that helmets were required all round, manufacture of home-grown helmets had to be considered. There was little point in copying an outdated item (there was a reason why the Germans replaced it!) especially as it failed to address an important aspect of helmet design - the identification of the wearer as a member of a particular force. In addition, the German and Austrian Stalhelm was designed as a trench helmet and therefore had the significant disadvantage of excessive weight. By the 30s advances in metallurgy allowed helmets with the same or better impact resistance to be much lighter.
Re: Why the change to the Helmet wz31?
Thanks gebhk!