"The "Heroes" of Fort Douaumont " Topic

Nice project here.

From main page
sidneyroundwood.blogspot.com.ar

Hope you enjoy!.

Amicalement
Armand

I think the Germans at the time Fort Douaumont fell were still wearing pickelhaubes (minus the spike in combat). Otherwise, very nice work.

Sydney does pretty good research for all his projects. I would go with would he did as being correct.

Glad you enjoyed it my friend!.

Amicalement
Armand

Thanks you Armand – that's very kind!

As for whether the Brandenburgers attacking Fort Douaumont wore the pickelhaube (without spike) or the Stalhelm, to be honest, I am not sure. I am certainly happy to be told the answer, chaps!

Most of the sources I looked at stated that the M1916 Stalhelm was introduced in time for "Operation Gericht" at Verdun in February 1916, and that they were issued to troops in the front lines. There are quite a few photos of German troops wearing these in, or advancing to, their jump-off "stollen". However, it's also very reasonable to think that not all units were equipped with Stalhemls. The cover to Von Brandis' memoirs shows the Brandenburgers wearing the pickelhaube on their run up to the (admittedly less than realistically depicted) Fort.

In keeping with the "heroic" nature of the vignette, I decided to go with the Stalhelms, but I would not rule out some pickelhaube wearing troops appearing on my painting table soon!

Thanks again Armand, and everyone for posting :)

Yup Sidney no reason that they could not have been worn, from what I read, sorry can't remember where, there were 30,000 issued to troops in the Verdun sector in January 1916.

Great little vignette.

I seem to recall that a French machine gun position saw the Germans while they were headed to the Fort, but confused them for a French patrol, because the silhouettes of the pickelhaubes (minus spikes), looked similar to the silhouttes of Adrian helmets. But I could be wrong about that. Still a great vignette. :-)