Luftwaffe M1942 helmet taken from a German soldier by US soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 6.125 inches (15.558 cm) | Width: 9.625 inches (24.448 cm) | Depth: 11.500 inches (29.21 cm)
Creator(s)
- Germany. Luftwaffe (Issuer)
- Bernard B. Cohen (Subject)
Biographical History
Bernard Baruch Cohen was born on June 22, 1920, in Philadelphia, PA, to Simon and Sarah Cohen. His Yiddish speaking parents had immigrated to the United States from Imperial Russia. Bernard was the second of four children. After completing high school, he worked in a restaurant, and then at Sam Gerson’s apparel shop. In 1941, he married Estelle Elias (1922-2008.). In December 1941, the United States entered World War II (1939-1945.) Bernard enlisted in the US Army, Warrant Officers Branch, on February 11, 1943, and entered active service on February 18, He served with the Third Army under General Patton in combat across Europe from late October 1944 - mid-July 1945. Bernard was honorably discharged from the military on November 1, 1945. He returned to Philadelphia. Bernard and Estelle had a son and a daughter. They owned and operated two maternity and baby shops, Dorebel's Maternity and Baby Shops in South Philadelphia and Mayfair. They were members of Adath Shalom synagogue and active in the wider Jewish community. Bernard, 63, passed away on August 23, 1983, in Philadelphia. In 1986, Estelle received the Israel Freedom Award from the State of Israel Women's Division. Estelle, 86, passed away on August 26, 2008.
Archival History
The helmet was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1985 by Estelle Cohen, the wife of Bernard B. Cohen.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Estelle Cohen
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
German Luftwaffe M1942 helmet brought back from the war by Bernard B. Cohen, a soldier with the United States Third Army. Cohen took this helmet from a fifteen year old German soldier who had tried to shoot him. The helmet was made by a hot stamping steel process and this style was mass produced until late 1944-early 1945 when the factory was overrun by Allied troops. The Reichsadler [Imperial eagle] decal was discontinued ca. 1943 as an efficiency measure and to improve concealment in the field. Cohen was in combat with the Third Army from fall 1944 through the end of the war in May 1945.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Domed, textured, pressed, gray painted molybdenum steel helmet with a short front visor, flared neck apron, and a pressed ventilation hole on each side. Near the bottom, 3 rivets attach an interior, 2nd pattern, zinc, M1931 style support band to which is nailed a light brown leather liner made of 8 overlapping, tapered fingers with ventilation holes. The inner cap is adjusted by a brown drawstring cord threaded throw the liner tips. The dark brown leather chinstrap is looped through D rings attached to metal strips on the support band. The short left strap has a prong buckle and the long right strap has 12 punched holes. There is a lacquered ink decal on the left side: a 2nd pattern, discolored white and black Luftwaffe eagle, diving with outstretched wings. The apron interior is scratched and has stamped maker's marks.
interior, leather liner panel, handwritten, black ink : EK.
Corporate Bodies
- Germany. Luftwaffe
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Uniforms.
- Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States.
- Jewish soldiers--United States.
- World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front.
- Soldiers--United States.
Genre
- Uniforms
- Dress Accessories
- Object