Mk III helmet

Mk III 'Turtle' helmet

The Mk III Helmet was a steel military combat helmet developed for the British Army in 1941. First worn in combat by British and Canadian troops on D-Day, the Mk III 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.

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. 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 the Second World War.

The Mk III gradually replaced the Brodie helmet from 1944 onwards. The Mk III was itself replaced after the war by the Mark IV helmet, which it closely resembled. The differences were that the rivets attaching the chinstrap to the helmet were placed much lower down on the shell and the use of a 'lift the dot' fastener for the liner. These modifications allowed the Mk IV to be utilised for carrying water. The Mark IV helmet was eventually replaced by the Mark V, which looked similar to the MK IV, but had a more padded liner. The Mark V was used until the late-1980s at which point the British replaced all steel helmets with the Mark 6, which was made from nylon fiber.

Gallery

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  Captured Panzergrenadier of the Hitlerjugend with two Canadian soldiers wearing Mk III helmets. Normandy, 9 August 1944

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  British Vickers machine gunners wearing the Mk III helmet in combat in Holland on 20 September 1944, during Operation Market Garden

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  Landing Craft Assault containing Winnipeg Rifles heading for the Normandy Juno Beach – 6 June 1944. Most are wearing Mk III helmets

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  Royal Canadian Navy Beach Commando "W" landing on Juno Beach, Mike sector of the Normandy beachhead - 6 June 1944. Most are wearing Mk III helmets

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  Casualty evacuation during 'Operation Epsom' on 27 June 1944

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  German prisoners captured by Canadian troops at Juno Beach on D-Day, 1944.

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  Rare colour photo of a Canadian mortar team, taken in 1944. All three men are wearing Mk III helmets.

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  Canadian soldier wearing Mk III helmet in Caen, 1944.

See also

• Adrian Helmet
• M1 Helmet
• Stahlhelm