German soldier's "barbershop" in action.
This haircut was necessary to have a PERFECT fit for the German steel helmet. A shaved head resulted in an extremely uncomfortable fit, in fact it did not fit at all and moved all the time. Long top (German: "Deckhaar") and aggressively short sides meant the helmet fit perfectly on top (did not move) and then the leather straps would fit perfectly on the sides and secure the helmet.
The haircut also had other practical uses:
- It fit German military regulations (no hair can appear about 2-3 fingers above ears).
- It also fit the German style beliefs of the time. German veterans say that shaved heads was believed to be the look of "criminals and prison inmates". German officers even would forbid shaved heads (and in fact this would continue in many armies for years. I know for a fact in the French Army, for a long time, it was forbidden to "Bic your head", at least in the Legion. The reason was still helmet fit).
And generally speaking, the rough look of many of these haircuts was because they were done in the field with manual clippers. There was little fading/blending.
Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=62312&start=285
No comments:
Post a Comment