Three helmets testify…

Three helmets bear witness to hard fighting

Exactly 76 years after the fact, these three helmets alone bear witness to the horror of the fighting, far from the sanitized vision often broadcast by cinema. They were found in 2020 in the commune of Sourdeval-les-Bois, between Coutances, Gavray and Villedieu-les-Poêles. Discovered under a barrel, still covered in dust, these three helmets are riddled with impacts from the fighting. A camouflaged German helmet from a Heer unit, an SS helmet with remnants of camouflage and a heavily damaged American light helmet can be seen.

Given the location, it’s easy to imagine the delaying tactics used by the Germans, survivors of the 353rd Infantry Division and grenadiers from the kampfgruppe of the 17th SS “Götz von Berlichingen” Division. Facing them, the GI’s of the 18th and 26th infantry regiments of the “Big Red One” advanced towards Villedieu-les-Poêles on July 30 and 31, 1944. We are in the middle of the exploitation phase of “Operation Cobra”. Overwhelmed, the Germans were doing everything in their power to prevent the total collapse of the front in the face of constant pressure from American troops. It was against this backdrop that these three helmets were abandoned.

The three helmets, just after their discovery in 2020

Heer (Wehrmacht army) helmet, heavily impacted and showing remnants of two-tone camouflage, green and sand.

Discover a priceless collection

The museum holds over 20,000 authentic objects, nearly 15,000 of which are on display to visitors. From a soldier’s helmet to a combat vehicle, from a little girl’s dress to a chocolate bar, not forgetting a rare Enigma machine, these objects take you on a journey through the daily lives of soldiers and civilians alike. Come and discover them at the Normandy Victory Museum in Carentan!