Helmet MKII "Royal Northumberland Fusiliers" British Army

Rare MkII "Royal Northumberland Fusiliers" helmet with the characteristic red V-shaped marking

Helmet shell of illegible manufacture and liner of manufacture J.C.S. & W. Ltd (manufacturer from 1938-1940) size 7 1/2

The shell retains its original textured khaki paint, together with its large red V, a distinctive regimental marking a documented on helmets worn by the Northumberland Rifles since 1940.

The Royal Northumberland Rifles were widely engaged during the Battle of Normandy, from June 6 to the end of August 1944.

- The 8th Battalion had been transformed into the 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment (NF), a reconnaissance unit of the 3rd British Infantry Division.

As early as June 6, 1944, a hundred men from the regiment landed on Sword Beach to ensure, in particular, links with the infantry brigades and the control of beach exits.

The bulk of the regiment then joined the bridgehead from June 14, 1944 and participated in the fighting around Caen as well as in the advance of the 3rd Division through Normandy.

- The 7th Battalion  landed in Normandy on June 27, 1944 with the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division.

Employed as a divisional machine gun battalion, he participated in the fighting around Caen in July, then in the operations carried out in the Mont Pinçon sector between the end of July and the beginning of August 1944.

- The men of the 4th Battalion were also engaged in Normandy after being distributed in several Independent Machine Gun Companies, equipped with Vickers machine guns and 4.2-inch heavy mortars.

The No.1 Company was assigned to the Guards Armoured Division, No.2 to the 11th Armoured Division and No.3 to the 7th Armoured Division.

These various units thus participated in the major British operations of the summer of 1944 in Normandy, particularly in the areas of Caen, Odon, Bourguébus, Mont Pinçon and during the pursuit to the west and south of the region.

In the absence of nominative marking, this helmet cannot be assigned to a specific battalion, but its marking clearly allows it to be linked to the Royal Northumberland Rifles.

A particularly RARE piece, much more unusual than a helmet with a simple service flash.