History

During the Second World War, German troops stationed in northern Africa are generally referred to as the Afrikakorps. Technically, this is not entirely correct, since some German units operating in Africa were not actually part of the DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps), and some units of it were, in fact, Italian ones. However, for the purpose of collecting so-called “tropical” uniforms and insignia, collectors have simplified the meaning of the term.

The first German troops were sent to northern Africa in February of 1941, to support their Italian allies against the British. The climate of the African continent made it necessary to wear specialised uniforms and gear that not only supported the soldiers in serving in a hot and arid environment, but also helped them in blending in with the landscape, which, in general, presented itself as brown, olive, khaki, or sand/tan in colour. Worn over long periods of time under the blistering desert sun, some uniforms were eventually bleached to white or off-white. Uniforms and insignia in these colours are often referred to as “tropical”, and it is worth noting that they weren’t just worn by members of units stationed in Africa, but in the entire Mediterranean theatre of war, including southern France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece, as well as in southern Russia during the summer months. Tropical uniforms were worn by members of all three branches of the Wehrmacht: the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy), and the Luftwaffe (air force). Members of the Waffen-SS stationed in southerly regions also wore tropical-style uniforms, and even though they technically have no connection to the DAK, all tropical uniforms and insignia of all branches of the German military are listed here.

The Waffen-SS Steel Helmets were modeled after the helmets of the German Army. The main design stems from the so-called M(odel) 35, which was a modernisation of the helmet design of WWI helmets.

In 1940, the M35 underwent slight modification in order to simplify the manufacturing process. Rather than using separate fittings for ventilation holes, the hole mounts were directly stamped onto the shell.
Besides this alteration, the M35 and M40 were the same and the distinction between the two models was made relevant by collectors; contemporary Germans referred to the M40 helmet as the M35.

The early M40 helmets feature an SS runic symbol decal painted on the right side and a swastika decal on the left. The swastika decal was discontinued in early 1941, and in November of 1943 the SS runic decal was discontinued as well.

The base colour varies between medium to very dark grey. However, camouflage efforts for tropical helmets have been found with varying patterns or single-coloured to blend in with more uniform terrain. It was common to mix sand in with the paint on a helmet for a dulling effect.

Alternatively, a camouflage cloth cover for the helmet could be used if available.