At some point, most likely the veteran’s kids had painted over the national emblem. When carefully removed with water, it revealed the decal, still partially covered in the original camo paint and woodchip.
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Decal.jpeg
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The Luftwaffe eagle decal is just visible beneath the paint and woodchip.
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ET71 #4199. Manufactured 1938/1939.
Horner scratched his name in the helmet’s rim, allowing it to be identified to San-Obergefreiter Josef Horner, born 01/07/01922, ErKM 256165 A /37 Unit 15/FJR6. With thanks to HB.
Combat medic, Josef Horner, injured at La Maugerie, 11 July 1944. 15 kompanie, FJR6
“Neckside, loss of hearing”
Members of 15 Kompanie. The pioneers had access to two flamethrowers during the battle of Normandy
As a medic, Horner would have been very familiar with aid stations like this one, situated south of the fighting in Carentan
The helmet originally surfaced with the national emblem painted over, presumably by the veteran’s kids many years ago.
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