I have often wondered about the symbols painted on helmets in WWII movies. I know that in my time of service it was forbidden to paint anything on my helmet except my serial number in white paint on the underside. (Division and rank decals went on the helmet liner, which would have been covered in combat.)

I can hardly believe that people painted their rank on the helmet, as one of the prime rules for snipers was to shoot officers and NCOs.

Jim