Description:

An evocative relic from the D-Day invasion, an excavated German helmet from outside the town of Carentan in Normandy, which once was the scene of a week-long engagement between the 101st Airborne Division and the German Wehrmacht, as the American paratroopers struggled to reinforce the Utah and Omaha Beachheads and establish a defensive line against German counterattacks. The helmet appears to be a M42 model based on the outward flaring rim and the punched vent hole on each side. The left side also bears a single Wehrmacht decal and bears much of its original field-gray color, scarcely found in such excavated helmets. Most intriguing, the back of the shell bears a large shrapnel hole with a large crack emanating from it, damage indicating certain death to anyone wearing the helmet when it was struck. The piece also bears three round holes which once housed the pins for the liner, which have since been professionally removed. In relic condition. Sold with a scanned note of provenance from Xavier Derule, originally written in French on Feb. 2, 1983, who found this helmet and other Normandy relics near the town of Carentan during clearance works. Heavy losses (likely including the soldier wearing this piece) and a lack of ammunition forced the German forces to withdraw from the town on June 12th, 1944.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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