German Heer Assault Gun Crew Beret
This schutzmütze, or padded beret, was worn by German Heer (Army) assault gun crews in World War II. Modeled after the tank crew beret, the assault gun beret differs only by color, as it is field gray-green cloth instead of black.1 It sits loosely on a black padded shell, which included a black oilcloth lining and leather sweatband. Featured on the exterior of this example are a machine woven Heer service eagle and wreath/cockade combination insignia. The eagle is gray with a dark green backing while the wreath/cockade combination is white (red/white/black tricolor cockade in center) with a dark green backing. German assault guns of World War II first were used for armored close-infantry support but later found a role as an effective anti-tank weapon. The most combat-used assault gun was the Sturmgeschütz III (Assault Gun III), or StuG III, first developed in the spring of 1940.2 Assault gun crews only wore the field gray-green schutzmütze for a short time as it was officially withdrawn from service on January 15, 1941. This date just precedes the full introduction of the assault gun in combat, which indicates these berets were produced in limited numbers.3
| Germany | World War II |
| Vehicle Crew Helmet | 1934 — 1941 |
| HRB-06-1009 | |
