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Above and below; The M1 helmet after initial cleaning and then coating in a protective clear lacquer.
The shell had a long string still attached to the remains of the fixed bales. This was perhaps a spare shoe string? We're not sure. What was clear was that the remains of the camouflage netting were still visible, the helmet having apparently been painted with the netting still attached (what a lazy GI)!!
After the protective coating had been applied the helmet has lost some of it's original "character". However, as there were many small fractures of the steel this had to be done to prevent the helmet falling to pieces.
Curiously there appeared to be a yellow cross that went across the entire shell. The protective lacquer has made this marking go more red.
The origin of this marking is not known to us and we'd appreciate any ideas from visitors. It is possible that the soil had rendered the marking yellow and that this is a variation on a medics helmet. There is no practical reason why a soldier should have his helmet marked with a yellow cross in a combat area!
Another "spanner in the works" to the medic theory is that evidence in this area points to it's use as an American artillery position.
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