German Luftschutz or “Air Protection” helmet worn by the German version of the air raid warden. Helmet is of the gladiator pattern with a raised bead going around the base of the crown.

Helmet is painted a dark blue with a decal on the front of silver wings with “LUFTSCHUTZ” in a riband at center over a swastika. Decal is 98% present. Exterior paint has scratches and rub marks. Each side of the crown has two sets of seven small vent holes.

Interior liner is in fair condition. It is in three sections and made of a light brown burlap type material. Each section has two ears at top for holding a drawstring in the crown. String is present but has torn loose from one section of the liner.  Chinstrap is broken and only small portions of it are present.

Also with the group is a German General Assault badge which depicts the German Amy type eagle within a wreath with a swastika in its claws and perched upon crossed bayonet and stick grenade. Reverse has pin and a bent catch. Badge is unmarked.

The last item in this little group is a 1944 dated Book of Common Prayer inscribed on the front page with “PRESENTED TO CARL T. BALLIET A COMMUNICANT OF ST. STEPHENS CHURCH, WILKES-BARRE, PA. WILLIAM K. RUSSELL RECTOR… CHRISTMAS 1944.” The book is in excellent condition.

Carl Theodore Balliet was born in Laurel Run Borough, Luzern County, Pennsylvania on July 17, 1912. He registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. At the time he was described as being 28 years old, standing 5’ 8” tall, with brown eyes, brown hair, light complexion and weighing 175 pounds. By profession he was a brew master at Stegmaier Brewery.

Balliet was eventually drafted on August 11, 1943 and was given serial number 33608643. After training he was assigned to the Medical Corps and was sent overseas on December 6, 1944 and served in the European Theater until October of 1945. He returned to the United States in late October of 1945 and was assigned to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was discharged at Fort Meade, Maryland on April 20, 1946.

In 1967 Mr. Balliet moved to Canada to work for the Olson Brewing Company. He died there in 1977 and is buried in Wilkes-Barre’s Hollenback Cemetery.  [ad] [ph:L]

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