One of my holy grails: Dutch KNIL Paratrooper Helmet. US experimental pre-WW2 tank helmet. KNIL bought many surplus items from the US and UK after WW2 for use in Indonesia, including this helmet. Erik also shares his thoughts “The helmet looks like an original WW2 piece to me, KNIL used and continued to use it after 1950 as well.”

The helmet has “A.S.” stenciled inside, most likely the initials of its owner. It was found in Bandung, which makes sense since the School Opleiding Parachutisten was located there.

---

Below image is part of my project, its personnel from “Ben Hur” B Company during Dwikora era wearing the very same helmet.

---

All rights reserved (c), Frownland Archive.