SAVED BY "SOUP-PLATES"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2758, 29 April 1916, Page 14

SAVED BY "SOUP-PLATES"

THE/NEW "AUjßjmiSH." STEEL

HELMETS

_ A special correspondent at tho British Headquarters has written to tlio "Morning Post" to say that "tho now 'all-British' steel helmet saved many lives during tho Tecent ■ fight for tho 'Bluff,' north of the Yprcs-Comines' canal. Its efficacy; as a protection against shell and bullet wounds was Srovcn many times previously, but the eercase in casualties at the 'Bluff' duo directly to this now plated head covering is worthy of special notice. I saw eight dented or pierced helmets today, the wearers of which suffered no worso injury than slight scalp wounds, and some escaped entirely. All would have boon killed bad. they worn an ordinary khaki cap. Ono helmctj had been dented eight times by falling shrapnel, while a jagged two-inch holo in the crown marked tho entry of a shell frafimcnt.vwliiph&causccl :a .flesh wound. Another bore, a deep fissure mailo by the butt of a Gorman riflo during the hand-to-hand fighting in the captured trench'. The-wearer of the helmet was not even stunned, and ho was able to kill his antagonist. Still another had been dented by shrapnel unknown to tho wearer. Several bad been cut through by pieces of shells, but tho net.effect on the wearers was no greater than a smart blow across tho skull with a club. "The helmets are :of grey painted steel, rather like an' inverted bowl jn appearance, and far Trom beautiful, but their, very simplicity adds to their effectiveness.' The head, ears, and neck are fully protected. Soldiers call them 'soup plates.' Accompany wearing helmets and gas masks is a fearsome spectacle."