Army Helmet
Artifact
1972.21.53
British Mark III "Turtle" helmet. It is a steel military combat helmet first developed for the British Army in 1941 by the Medical Research Council. First worn in combat by British and Canadian troops on D-Day. It was used alongside the Brodie helmet for the remainder of the Second World War. It is sometimes referred to as the "turtle" helmet by collectors, because of its vague resemblance to a turtle shell. Donor card notes this is a Russian helmet, but this is incorrect.
The Mark III helmet was designed to provide better protection for the side of the head than its predecessor. It was a deeper helmet with a smaller brim and provided 38% more protection than the Mark II, particularly at the sides (total area of head protection was increased by 12%, horizontal protection was increased by 15% and from items falling from overhead by 11%). The Mark III helmet was issued primarily to assault troops for the Normandy invasion in June 1944, and a large number of helmets from British stocks were issued to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in addition to British units. Small numbers also went to the 2nd and 4th Canadian Divisions. All Mark III helmets in Canadian stores were returned to the UK shortly after the end of World War Two.
The Mark III gradually replaced the Brodie helmet from 1944 onwards which was itself replaced after the war by the Mark IV helmet, which it closely resembled.
Likely repainted. Manufacturer's mark is unreadable.
Steel
Personal Artefacts, Clothing – Headwear, Helmet