Above is yet another example of a battlefield damaged helmet, in this case a German model 1940 with a single bullet entry hole on the right side skirt, in the region of the wearers right ear. A ghastly exit hole on the rear skirt clearly evidence of the death or serious injury of the owner. This helmet was lost during the Battle of the Bulge and recovered after years of use as a receptacle for plants or similar.
Further examples of German helmets recently recovered from the former battlefields of Normandy. The pictures above show the remains of a model 1940 helmet. (The difference between the 1940 and 1935 pattern being the inclusion of the vent holes in the helmet pressing rather than the fixing of separate rivets to the shell).
The M40 shown here clearly has traces of three colour camouflage, see above right. The owner having utilised paint used to camouflage vehicles in decorating his helmet. On the left side of the helmet are traces of the base of a decal.
This is a Heer M1935 helmet, also recently recovered from Normandy again shows traces of having once had a Heer Eagle attached to the side. Now only the backing of the decal remains. It had been painted in "apple" green paint by it's former owner. There is evidence that ordnance tan paint was also added at a later time. In places the paint has been blistered, possibly as a result of fire.
Both of the helmets shown above had been discarded by their owners, having likely been taken prisoner by British soldiers.