BMW Werkluftschutz 1-piece Helmet with Single Decal Insignia
The BMW factory used this helmet for their Werkluftschutz during the final years of the German Third Reich. It is constructed in one piece of lightweight steel and painted with a satin black finish. This style of Luftschutz helmet—one piece without the bead—was the last model made specifically for the Civil Air Defense in 1944. Most of these helmets never received Luftschutz insignia.1
Historical Context
h3. Werkluftschutzdienst Germany’s factories and industrial divisions were a vital part to the war effort during the Second World War, and Allied air raids targeted industrial centers almost exclusively to disrupt the means of German war supply and support. Much like most other Luftschutz affiliated organizations, the Factory Air Protection Service (Werkluftschutzdienst) was established due to the need for detection and protection from these enemy air raids. The organization acted as a local police with an appointed leader. Each factory established a control room, fire fighting, first aid, and even veterinary care.1 Werkluftschutzdienst personnel trained for a particular protection service and only used factory employees unless more help was needed from the public or local police. The utmost goal for factory air protection personnel, like all Luftschutz groups, was to prevent a raid from hitting its target by setting up smokescreens, posting decoys, using camouflage, as well as employing other methods.2 It was not their job to engage the enemy but to help prevent massive damage in the event that a raid did occur.
| Germany | World War II |
| Civil Helmet | 1944 |
| F.W. Quist, Esslingen | |
| LUH-35-0308 | |
