62 = size, which is very big ABL = Armée Belge / Belgisch Leger XB = manufactured by the company X.B. Xavier Buisset from Vilvoorde. 1949 = production year
This helmet is in its original condition It looks a lot like the German war time helmets but they onle started production in 1978. These were made by l'arsenal national d'artillerie de Trubia. These helmets were used until the introduction of the spanish composit helmets.
I also have a Spanish beret with the same insignia, see Spain Beret Army
These are pictures of a Dutch Model 53 Troepenhelm. This helmet shell is made by Verblifa: see https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verblifa The inscription shows VB 56 8S8 VB = Verblifa 1956 year of production. 8S8 = a lot code
A stamp within the helmet shell shows: KONTROLE 155 IntBaHrstCie Possibly this stands for: 155e Intendance Bataljon Herstel Compagnie. picture below found in the book in "Ransel op de rug" written by Martien Talens
This picture shows a nut that that holds the webbing in the liner, typical Dutch solution.
Dutch M53 helmet 1982 (part 1) This is a more recent Dutch Model 53 Troepenhelm LS82 6 The lot code is 6 The production year is 1982 The manufacturer is LS = Linnemann-Schnetzer There is still a company called see: https://www.linnemannschnetzer.de/company.html
The manufacturer is LS = Linnemann-Schnetzer There is still a company called see: https://www.linnemannschnetzer.de/company.html 1909 Founding of Linnemann-Schulte & Co. GmbH in Ahlen 1948 Name changed to Linnemann-Schnetzer KG 1950 First steel compressed air tanks manufactured in Ahlen 1960 Start of serial production, introduction of custom product solutions 1992 Founding of the Linnemann Schnetzer Group, with four European production facilities 2004 Linnemann Schnetzer Group acquired by Frauenthal Holding AG from Austria 2012 Linnemann Schnetzer and Frauenthal Automotive united as one brand
There is also a number written in the sweatband: 63051915 6 or 3, with this number you could identify the user. 630519 = 1963 May 19, his birthday the last 3 digits are a sequence number, to make the number unique. Every dutch boy would receive a number like this at the age of 17, a service number. see: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/defensiepersoneel/vraag-en-antwoord/waarom-ontvang-ik-een-brief-over-de-dienstplicht In the Netherlands there is still compulsory military service. This has not been abolished. As a 17-year-old man or woman, you will therefore receive a conscription letter. Letter about conscription Only compulsory military service has been postponed indefinitely. That is why the Ministry of Defense no longer calls upon conscripted men and women between the ages of 17 and 45. At the age of 17, however, they receive a letter stating that they are registered for military service. Only in very exceptional situations can the government and parliament decide to reactivate compulsory voting. Conscription for women Since January 1, 2020, conscription also applies to women. All 17-year-old girls receive a letter about conscription. Dutch people living abroad Dutch nationals residing abroad do not receive the conscription letter because they are not registered in a Dutch municipality. The moment they return to the Netherlands and are registered in the municipal administration, they will still receive the conscription letter.
Since 2009 The Netherlands army has Imam's in service.
1. Why does the armed forces need an imam? “The Defense organization employs about 2,500 Muslims, both civilians and military, and their numbers are still growing. They may need someone who can answer their philosophical questions. They want to be able to share their story safely, without any prejudice, and we are specialists in that. Sometimes there is also a lack of understanding among the family about the choice to join the army. Then the imam helps to clear up misunderstandings from his neutral position.” translated from see: https://magazines.defensie.nl/landmacht/2018/04/07_dewetvan7_04-2018
This beret is made by Hassing NSN 8405.17.114.6864 BO 872 2662 0650.11
LEVIOR 1991 This liner has been made by the company NV Menten SA: http://www.levior.com/site/frames.htm from Tongeren. Levior is one of their brand names
These are pictures of my second Belgian Airforce helmet. It is painted light blue with a smooth finish. In the rim is stamped VDN 88/1. This helmet is made by the German company VDN = Vereinigte Deutsche Nickel-Werke. in the year 1988
I got this helmet shell from a neigbour who had been using this shell as a flower pot for some years.
These pictures show the cleaned helmet. For some additional pictures showing some interesting details see part 2 details
The picture below shows a close-up of the chin strap locking mechanism: almost exactly equal to American locking system. The picture below shows a close-up of the rim showing VDN 88/1. Below another interesting detail, a white arrow. I think this indicates this shell was meant for use by the Belgian Airforce.
I am not going to try to remove the rust spots near the white arrow, the risk is I could wash away the arrow.
A.B.L. = Armée Belge / Belgisch Leger = Army Belgium
Beret made by preta in the year 1978. PRETA according to Google still exists as manufacturer of professional clothing. "Pre"vost-"Ta"vernier BVBA; Oude Tieltstraat 118 A Meulebeke .
The 13th Linie was an Infantry Regiment. Since 1993 it has been combined with the 12th Linie Regiment.
translated from: https://www.amicale12-13li.be/Pages/historique.php#=_= History of the 13th Line Origin: the mobilization of 1870, which took place during the Franco-German war, having revealed certain shortcomings in the organization of our forces, it was decided, in peace, to remedy them. As a result, the reorganization of our army on August 16, 1873 notably increased the number of our active Line Infantry Regiments from twelve to fourteen. The two new Regiments logically received the numbers 13 and 14 and were formed by withdrawing entire companies (cadre and troops) from the twelve already existing, which at a determined date changed corps in order to constitute them.
The Belle Epoque: Within the framework thus defined, the 13th of the Line was formed in Mons on April 1, 1874. Three companies from the 1st of the Line, three from the 4th and three from the 7th of the Line. Two companies from the 3rd Line, two from the 6th Line and two from the 11th Line. A company of the 10th of the Line. He received his flag from the hands of HM King LEOPOLD II on July 15, 1875 at the BEVERLO camp. Before World War I, the 13th of the Line occupied the following garrisons: 1874 - 1881: MONS 1881 - 1883: CHARLEROI (with a Battalion in ANTWERP) 1883 - 1886: HASSELT (with a Battalion in DIEST and another in BEVERLO) 1886 - 1892: ANTWERP 1892 - 1914: NAMUR (with regimental school in DINANT).
Campaign 1914 - 1918: the 13th of the Line fought successively at NAMUR, TERMONDE, on the YSER, at MERCKEM as well as in the two liberating offensives. He ended the campaign with six citations: Namur, Termonde, Yser, Merckem, Zarren, Handzaeme, which gave him the right to the forage in the color of the Order of Leopold. He had lost 1250 of his family by fire.
The interwar period: the 13th of the Line spent this period again in Namur where it identified with the city. However, he made three stays abroad: From December 1918 to April 1919 in the Rhineland. From March to August 1920 in Eupen- Malmédy (two battalions). From June to November 1924 in the Ruhr area.
Campaign 1939 - 1940: As part of the 8th Infantry Division, the Regiment was assigned during the mobilization to the defense of the fortified position of Namur (PFN). The tragic events on other fronts forced him to abandon the PFN without a fight from May 15, 1940. Back in line on the Lys, in the Vive-St Bavon sub-sector, Wielsbeke, he suffered the shock of the The enemy on May 24, 25 and 26, 1940. His good behavior on this occasion earned him a seventh citation: The Lys 1940. He had lost 91 of his people on the Lys, including 5 officers. To avoid capture, his flag was burned.
After the liberation: on July 1, 1946, the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Brigade "Yser" received the denomination of the 13th Line and resumed the traditions and the (new) flag of the Regiment. On July 13, 1946, the 13th of the Line left for Germany where it received Siegburg as a garrison. Unfortunately, during the recovery of the army on a peaceful footing, he was sacrificed despite his seven citations (February 15, 1947). From 1947 to 1976, the 13 was no longer part of the land force on the peace foot. During this time it was at times taken over from the land force organization on a war footing, while at other times it was abolished altogether.
Contemporary era: the 13 was reconstituted on May 17, 1976 as an AnTitanK Battalion and assigned to the 7th Infantry Brigade. On this occasion, he absorbed the 16th ATK Cie. He took up residence as the first garrison at Spich (FRG). In April 1979, he returned to Marche-en Famenne which was his last garrison. The 13 is twinned with the city of Namur, with the 94th French RI as well as with the fraternals of the 2nd Infantry Brigade "Yser" and the 6th and 13th Rifle Battalions. It maintains close relations with the Flemish municipalities of the Lys where he fought in 1940. Its motto is "NEC JACTANTIA NEC METU" which was borrowed from a door of the ancient citadel of Namur, and its badge, the watchman's tower which dominates the city. It is located in a place in Namur which bears its name.The restructuring measures definitively caused its dissolution in 1993. Its traditions were taken up by the 12th of the Line Prince Léopold.
Partage