A few Berlin Brigade Parade Helmet Liners

[Rakkasan187]

Moving some uniforms and things around this weekend, I was able to dig out some of my Berlin Brigade Helmet Liners. I wore one of these liners while stationed in Berlin from 1987-1990 in B Co 6th Bn 502nd Infantry Regiment (STRIKE). These helmet liners were issued prior to the start of "parade season" and we had to maintain them throughout the season. At the end of parade season they were turned in and repainted, redecaled for other ceremonies. These helemt liners were worn on various occasions to include the guarding of Rudolf Hess at Spandau Prison, AK or Aliied Kommandantura Guard, BB or Berlin Brigade Headquarters Guard, and the above mentioned parade season. Parade season would include the 17 Juni Strasse or 17 June Street parade, or better known as the Allied Forces Day Parade, when we wore our dress green uniforms, and other events. Usually during the 4th of July parade on the "4" Ring in front of McNair Barracks (which was the location of the first US Headquarters in Berlin, which was occupied on July 4, 1945), we wore our Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU's) and kevlar helmets.

 

I recall all the different techniques we used to clean and polish those black turtle shells. We used a variety of products to include Pledge furniture polish, Future floor wax, baby oil, Windex window cleaner and other products to keep a high gloss shine.

 

Pictured below are several variations of the helmet liners. On one the the liners you may notice that under the black gloss paint is the decal for the old 6th Infantry Regiment who was in Berlin before the 502nd took over. It appears that the old decal was not removed and it was painted over. When I ran my finger over the decal, it was raised just a little. I will not remove the paint to reveal the decal, because every once in blue moon, these liners do show up with the old 6th Infantry decals. I know of a few collectors that have them in their collections.

 

These liners tell the story of days past in the occupied city of Berlin. The Brigade no longer exists, being deactivated in the late 90's. There are no more US, French, British or Russian forces in Berlin. The US barracks and other buildings have either been torn down or have been given back to the German government.

 

Being a member of the Berlin Brigade at the height of the Cold War was one of my best and most memorable assignments. I hope you enjoy seeing a few pieces of history from that bygone era.

 

Leigh..

 

 

 

[Rakkasan187]

 

This is the inside marking of the first helmet. The sweatband DLA number is dated 1986.

 

[Rakkasan187]

Helmet # 2

 

 

 

[Rakkasan187]

Helmet # 2 inside markings

 

 

[Rakkasan187]

Helmet # 3

 

 

 

 

 

In this last shot, you can just make out the outline of the 6th Infantry Regiment Decal under the black paint..

[Rakkasan187]

Helmet # 3 inside markings

 

 

 

[Rakkasan187]

Finally, the three together..

 

 

 

Enjoy the pictures, comments welcome, and feel free to post your Berlin Brigade Helmets and liners on here for all to see.

 

Thanks everyone

 

Leigh

[Sabrejet]

Terrific liners Leigh! This edition of "The Big Picture" pre-dates your time a little but I thought it fit quite well....there are some pretty nifty lids to be seen too!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4Tk9iYbZI4&NR=1&feature=endscreen

[patches]

Very nice piece. In the Berlin Brigade the battalions of the 502nd were ones redesignated from the battalions of the 6th Infantry in the summer of 1984. That fact along with the 1986 dated sweatband shows that the M1 liner continued to be used quite awhile longer as a parade headgear item after the introdution of the Fritz helmet in 83-84. Of note is the liners age, it is a early type with A washer supension, by the early 80s the removeable suspensions were the most commonest type.

[Sabrejet]

I know it's not from the Berlin Brigade, but it kind of fits the general theme! Hope that's ok?

[Rakkasan187]

I know it's not from the Berlin Brigade, but it kind of fits the general theme! Hope that's ok?

 

 

Ian,

 

Your contrinutions are always welcome. Thank you very much for adding this fine example.

 

Leigh

[Rakkasan187]

Very nice piece. In the Berlin Brigade the battalions of the 502nd were ones redesignated from the battalions of the 6th Infantry in the summer of 1984. That fact along with the 1986 dated sweatband shows that the M1 liner continued to be used quite awhile longer as a parade headgear item after the introdution of the Fritz helmet in 83-84. Of note is the liners age, it is a early type with A washer supension, by the early 80s the removeable suspensions were the most commonest type.

 

Patches,

 

Thank you for contributing to this thread. The knowledge and experiences by our fellow forum members help immensely in providing factual information and veteran accounts..

 

 

Leigh

[Rakkasan187]

Terrific liners Leigh! This edition of "The Big Picture" pre-dates your time a little but I thought it fit quite well....there are some pretty nifty lids to be seen too!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4Tk9iYbZI4&NR=1&feature=endscreen

 

 

Thanks again Ian,

 

It brings back memories of why we were there..

 

Leigh

[Sabrejet]

Dig those camo covers on the streets of Berlin!!

[DaddyDog]

Here is my Berlin Brigade liner from the 6th Infantry Regiment along with a July 4th parade program book from 1984. The name Pee Wee is written on the headband.

 

[Red Devil]

Here is my Berlin Brigade liner from the 6th Infantry Regiment along with a July 4th parade program book from 1984. The name Pee Wee is written on the headband.

 

 

Great helmet and booklet! Thank you for sharing!

[Red Devil]

Here is my humble contribution and one I am very honored to be the custodian of. It's by far one of my favorite pieces and it took me years to find one. 502nd decal on one side, Berlin on the other.

[Ronnie]

Those helmets are too cool for pharmacy school!

Very nice.

Ronnie

[Rakkasan187]

Excellent helmet liners..

 

If the Brigade was still there today, we would be rehearsing for the 4th of July Parade coming up. We would have just finished the 17 Juni Strasse (17 June Street) Allied Victory Parade...(Allied Forces Day Parade)

 

One of my best assignments during my 21 year Army career...

 

Thank you for sharing your additions... Please keep posting if you all have Berlin Brigade items

 

Leigh

[Crap Game]

Slight necropost, I was in Bravo Bears 81mm Mortar Platoon, Feb 89-Dec 90 (under Captain "MC Hammer" Daniels and 1SG Gustafson).  I remember I bought a training aid RPG-7 from Czarnecky in 1st Platoon I think.   He was in B Co's last Guard Mount at Spandau for the last US rotation before Hess "died". I did some volunteer work for the museum under the Clock Tower for Mr Milton Balk before he died.

 

  Right, we would have been out on the 4-Ring yesterday, the graveyard fence covered in Red, White and Blue bunting, the matching "blinds" for hiding the Joes who passed out from locking their knees.    Remember the sound of the K Pot and M16A2 with fixed M9 Bayonet hitting the asphalt before they were dragged off by the medics.

"BRING YOUR UNITS TO ATTENTION AND PRESENT-ARMS!

[patches]

The Liner as worn in 1959. the Berlin Patch front of the Liner in this instance, and with a White Leather Liner Chin Strap added.

 

One S/Sgt. Dallas Pinckney leader of the Honor Guard/Drill Team 2nd Battle Group 6th Infantry front and center.

 

[COOLWIND]

Hi everyone. I found one liner with MP and Berlin patch on it.

[Rakkasan187]

Very nice 287th MP Liner. I worked with a retired CSM at the US Army Sergeants Major Academy who was in the 287th MPs around the same time I was in Berlin. He donated his helmet liner to the US Army Noncommissioned Officer Musuem. The MP armband is a nice field armband that I recall seeing many times when the 287th provided escort services for our units when we would move out to the field.

 

Thank you for sharing

 

Leigh

 

 

[etomilitaria]

These are all absolutely phenomenal and I am very jealous! The occupation era fascinates me. Hope I can add one to my own collection sometime.

[etomilitaria]

Somewhat associated - here is one of my current displays. The helmet belonged to a soldier called John Hill who joined in 1943. After WWII, John served in Army Intelligence based at the EUCOM headquarters in Heidelberg.