Why was the US military’s M1 helmet so popular in World War II?

When it comes to the symbol of the US military during World War II, everyone will definitely think of the M1 rifle or the Thompson submachine gun used by the US military. However, there is such a piece of equipment in the symbol of the US military, and it does not Not a weapon.

However, it had the highest appearance rate among the US military during World War II. Yes, this is the M1 steel helmet worn by American soldiers, but some people are curious why this helmet was the one worn by the US military in World War II. The most photographed one?

You must know that the M1 helmet was successfully developed in the summer of 1941. At that time, due to the Pearl Harbor incident, the United States also joined the Allied camp. As the war gradually deepened, the U.S. military at that time There is an urgent need for a batch of protective equipment to increase the protective capabilities of soldiers. Therefore, at this time, the M1 helmet has been given high expectations by the US military.

On the battlefields of the confrontation between the European and German troops, we can all see that American soldiers, both soldiers and officers, wear M1 helmets. The M1 helmet can not only protect the soldiers' heads, but also Some soldiers strapped first-aid kits to their helmets for use by the wounded, and some even liked to paint various "graffiti" on the top of their M1 helmets.

The most memorable one is the camouflage-colored M1 helmet painted on the helmet by the U.S. Marine Corps. Those Marines wearing the camouflage version of the M1 helmet fought against the Japanese army in World War II. It plays a very important role in the battle for islands in the Pacific. Because of its camouflage graffiti, the camouflage effect in jungle warfare is very obvious.

Not only that, the M1 steel helmet has also been used in the US military. For example, it is not uncommon to use it to bathe or cook. More importantly, it is used in some hand-to-hand combat. It was even used as a melee weapon to hit the enemy.

However, this helmet also has big flaws. The helmet weighs up to 1.3 kilograms, which is definitely uncomfortable to wear for a long time. After all, it is equivalent to carrying several bottles of mineral water on your head.

And why is the M1 helmet so popular? In fact, this is not surprising. When World War II first broke out, the U.S. military struggled to produce such helmets, so the number of helmets was very large.

By the end of World War II, nearly 20 million M1 helmets were produced. Even if all the infantrymen of the U.S. Army had distributed this helmet, there were still many left, and the U.S. military even used it to support others. countries.

Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why this helmet has such a high appearance rate in the US military. It has a large amount and good performance. Today, the M1 helmet has been replaced by various modern helmets in the US military. However, its legend has been remembered by countless U.S. troops and soldiers who have used this helmet.