This double decal paratrooper helmet was owned by Sanitäter-Obergefreiter (Medic) Josef Horner – a member of 15 Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger Regiment 6 (FJR6), 2nd Fallschirmjäger Division.
It was taken as a GI war souvenir during the battle for Normandy, and surfaced at an estate sale in Salem, MA.
The men of 15 Kompanie FJR6 were engineers (“Fallschirm-Pioniere”) – responsible for a range of combat engineering support tasks, such as breaching obstacles, building defensive positions, laying mines and booby traps, and constructing bridges and other field fortifications.
“The pioneers (15 kp.) under the command of Leutnant Degenkolbe were not spared the exertions of combat. Quite the opposite, in fact. Because of their special knowledge of explosives, the pioneers would often have to tackle the threat of allied tanks.”
Volker Griesser, The Lions of Carentan, Fallschirmjäger Regiment 6, 1943–1945
On July 11 1944, Horner sustained a serious neck injury during fierce fighting in the village of La Maugerie (Terre-et-Marais), Normandy, as the unit continued its retreat to Périers. American forces – specifically 22nd Infantry, 4th Inf Division – were tasked with capturing La Maugerie as part of their advance towards Periers. The Germans defended the village fiercely, leading to heavy casualties on both sides. Kompanie leader, Leutnant Degenkolbe, was KIA on the same day as Horner (11 July) – while Hauptmann Hauch, also of 15 Kompanie, was killed the day before.
“On July 7th, we prepared for the attack on the town of Periers. This was in the dreaded hedgerow-fighting sector. The mission of my 2nd Battalion was the breaching of the enemy line south of Culot with La Maugerie as the objective. It was during the bloody La Maugerie battle that the tremendous mortar barrage fell during Company F s attack. Lt. Jim Beam lost both legs from mortars. The Third Battalion attacked on July 11th the high ground in the vicinity of Raids. The Second Battalion was employed to their left, and Company C mopped up La Maugerie to the southeast.”
David P. Roderick, S/Sgt, Co. H, 22nd Infantry, 4th Inf Div., 1st Army,
“Enemy resistance in the form of young SS troops and fresh paratroops was stubborn, and the ground was given up to the advance of the (US 22nd Infantry) regiment yard by yard, and foot by foot. The defense and delay by the enemy had been superbly executed, and as a consequence the advance which the inundated areas on both flanks restricted to a narrow front, was painful and laborious. Those who were there will long remember the names of Sainteny, La Maugerie, and Raids—all names of tiny French towns in the zone of advance.”
22nd Infantry Regiment History World War II
At some point in the helmet’s post-war history, the national emblem was painted over – probably by the veteran’s kids. This was carefully wiped away with water to reveal a stunning original decal, still partially covered in camo paint and woodchip.