should I paint a star on the BACK of my pilotkas ( russian WW2 )

[ronan]

hello
When I was reenacted I learnt to reverse my pilotka during "fights". ( of course, only when we weren't wearing helmets)
In this way the red star was facing to my back, not as a target on my head 

I'm now painting my firsts soldiers with pilotkas. Should I paint the red star on the back ?
Yes for historical accuracy.. But it looks a bit strange. 

any advice ?

Thank you.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Depends whether they had ever been issued with it or still had it...
I'd say do a mix.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

It would most likely have been removed, or dirtied up.

IanS

[Hertsblue]

Aren't all soldiers taught to shoot at the enemy's body, rather than a small target with an even smaller target on top? Strikes me that if you stick your head above the parapet it doesn't matter what you're wearing. 

[Ace of Spades]

Apparently targets on helmets were much favoured even over a hundred years ago... it was the main reason the British discarded the cloth unit flashes on the sides of their helmets during the Second Boer War. Some surviving examples show holes that are disturbingly close to the flashes (actually, any hit on your headgear whether penetrating or not, is of course very disturbing!).
Also, I can imagine the red star, being made of enamelled metal, could be shiny and thereby giving away your position instead of acting directly as a 'bullet magnet'. Although slightly less deadly, still not a very comfortable thought...

Cheers,
Rob

[ronan]

Aren't all soldiers taught to shoot at the enemy's body, (...)

(...) the red star, being made of enamelled metal, could be shiny and thereby giving away your position instead of acting directly as a 'bullet magnet'.(...)

yes, probably.
And you can see this lovely little red star from far in the green bushes !

It would most likely have been removed, or dirtied up.

I'd say do a mix.

You're right.
Thanks to all !

[mollinary]

Yes, and there is a psychological aspect to this as well. I was a European Community Monitor in Croatia in 1991. We were supposed to be monitoring "cease fires".  Our "uniform" was white, with a blue armband with the circle of stars on it. The whole ensemble was topped off with a blue baseball cap with the circle of stars on the front.  This was not popular with the monitors as, mistakenly, we thought it might help snipers target where our brains were!  Fortunately these were located in another part of our anatomy, or we would not have been there in the first place.  That said, it was amazing how many of these items ended up being worn by local kids!

Mollinary

[ronan]

(...)  Fortunately these were located in another part of our anatomy, (...)

[petercooman]

  That said, it was amazing how many of these items ended up being worn by local kids!

Mollinary

Never crossed your minds the snipers might mistake them then?