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M2 WW2 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion Helmet: This is an original WW2 helmet and liner with refurbished components recreating a superb 509th PIB Helmet. The 509th carried out the first US combat drop during the invasion of North Africa. The transport planes flew all the way from English airfields to the African coast. This first operation was unsuccessful, with 7 of its 39 C-47s widely scattered. Only 10 aircraft actually dropped their troops, while the others unloaded after 28 troop carriers, nearly out of fuel, landed on the Sebkra d'Oran, a dry lake near their target. The 509th marched overland to occupy its objective, and on 15 November, 300 paratroopers successfully dropped on the airfield at Youks-les-Bains. Forty-six Paratroopers from the 509th participated in the liberation of Ventotene, a small Italian island, on September 9, 1943. The German commander was tricked into surrendering to the weaker American force before realizing his mistake. An account of this is given in John Steinbeck's "Once There Was a War." Later, the 509th saw two more combat jumps in Italy and Southern France. After landing, they were often used as elite mountain infantry in the Italian mountains and French Alps. Paul B. Huff, a member of the 509th, was the first American Paratrooper awarded the Medal of Honor on 29 February 1944 for action at Anzio, Italy. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 509th fought in Belgium to blunt the German attack. An account of this battle is described in the book "Bloody Clash at Sadzot." The war ended for the 509th at the end of January 1945 near Sankt Vith, with only about 50 survivors of the 700 who entered the battle. At this time, the 509th was disbanded, and the men left were used as replacements for the 82d Airborne Division. This helmet is a WW2 swivel bale converted to a M2 'D' bale. The original colouring is intact and only the decals are post war. The liner is 90% original with only the chincup and 'A' yokes being post war. Notice the genuine WW2 medical tape at the rear and the anti gas dots to the front and rear. A superb M2 helmet.
Please email me if you want to purchase this item, require more details or insured postage costs. |
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