{"product_id":"original-netherlands-wwii-dutch-m34-steel-helmet-with-regional-police-insignia-decal-liner-rare-neck-guard","title":"Original Netherlands WWII Dutch Flemisch (Belgian) \"Wacht\" Brigade M34 Steel Helmet With Belgian German Collaborators Decal - Liner \u0026 Rare Neck Guard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a genuine original M34 Dutch WW2 helmet. Steel construction with original period-applied black paint, correct three section leather liner, with central drawstring and a very rare leather neckguard integrated. The front of the helmet shows an applied decal depicting oak leaves and acorns, which we have been told was used by the Flemisch (Belgian) \"Wacht\" brigade, German Collaborators during World War II. The size is roughly 7 ¼.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original chinstrap is intact but has entirely broken off of one side. There is a number stenciled under the rear brim, \u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe history of the Netherlands from 1939 to 1945 covers the events in the Netherlands that took place under the German occupation that started on May 10, 1940 with the Battle of the Netherlands. The Netherlands hoped to stay neutral when World War II broke out in 1939 but this hope was ended when NSDAP Germany invaded in May 1940. On May 15, 1940, one day after the Bombing of Rotterdam the Dutch forces capitulated. Subsequently the Dutch government and the royal family went into exile in London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe occupying forces were supported by a minority of the Dutch. Active resistance was carried out by a small minority which grew in the course of the four-and-a-half years of the occupation. The Germans deported the majority of the country's Jews to prison camps, with the assistance of the Dutch police and civil service: the Netherlands had one of the highest levels of collaboration with the NSDAPs during the Shoah. 75% of the country’s Jewish population were exterminated, a much higher percentage than countries like Belgium and France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of the south of the country was liberated in the second half of 1944. The rest, especially the west of the country, suffered from the Hunger Winter. On May 5, 1945, the whole country was liberated by the Allied Forces.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45343656804421,"sku":"ONAC25SD0222","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/9A63B19A-BAD8-43E5-9D6D-7E70D6797F05.jpg?v=1783976202","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-netherlands-wwii-dutch-m34-steel-helmet-with-regional-police-insignia-decal-liner-rare-neck-guard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}