[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Geek44

I think the two guys in the second pic are on maneuver. The strips around their helmets are red ID markers. I have pics of paras with the same strips.

Those bands appear to be rubber. You can make out the impression of a rivet on the observer's helmet. These were often cut from inner tubes and used to attach foliage for camo. They also used straps from gas mask containers and other gear.