Page "Pickelhaube" Paragraph 17

During the early months of World War I, it was soon discovered that the Pickelhaube did not measure up to the demanding conditions of trench warfare.

The leather helmets offered virtually no protection against shell fragments and shrapnel and the conspicuous spike made its wearer a target.

These shortcomings, combined with material shortages, led to the introduction of the simplified model 1915 helmet described above, with a detachable spike.

In September 1915 it was ordered that the new helmets were to be worn without spikes, when in the front line.