Killed by terrorists during the Liberation of Paris

[Jean-Loup]

I normaly like to find my own helmets from primary sources, just as others like to fish their own fish from the river. However when I saw this helmet on the US militaria forum a few years ago, I knew I had to make an exception, as helmets with such documented history are extremely rare. I contacted the owner, who said the helmet was not for sale, but this changed after a few years.

The helmet came with the story that it had been picked up by a US officer in France, who after taking a photo of it on the grave of a German soldier, brought it back to the US.

[Jean-Loup]

As can be seen, a bullet was shot into the right side of the helmet making a neat entry hole, and it exited out of the left side making a nasty and large exit hole. Looking at the exit hole really shows the power that one single bullet has. A steel helmet and human head dont stand a chance.
Considering the shape and size of the entrance hole and the fact the bullet exited, I assume that the damage was caused by a rifle or MG round.

[Jean-Loup]

The leather is slighly dry, and brown stains are visible in a few spots, which I assume are remains of blood. Interestingly the chinstrap is already missing on the period photo. Perhaps it was damaged by the bullet as it entered?
Note that the leather is not completely dark, nor dry, as do many of the supposed KIA helmets. Chances are that the Germans cleaned the inside of the helmet out before putting it on the cross to keep flies and beetles away.

[Schwerpunkt]

I can understand you wanted that one , having a helmet that is on a period photo is just the best.

[Jean-Loup]

Now for the research part:

The name of this helmet's owner is clearly visible on the cross: Kurt Günther, born in 1912 and killed in 1944. I looked him up on the Volksbund website, where it is indicated that Kurt Günther was killed in Vaucresson, a suburb of Paris, and that he is now buried in Solers, also a suburb of Paris. This, along with the date of death of 20 August 1944, hint on the soldier perhaps having been killed during the insurrection of Paris by the Resistance.

I contacted the Volksbund, and they were able to tell me that Kurt Günther had served in Nachrichten Batterie of Flak Regiment 59, and that he had been killed by terrorists, which confirms that Günther's death is linked to the Paris insurrection. He had been buried in the gardens of a large villa in Vaucresson.

From the town hall in Vaucresson, I was able to find out that the town had been occupied by flak units during the war, but that no fighting had occurred there during the insurrection of August 1944. I interviewed several inhabitants and a small anouncement was published in the local paper, but nobody remembered any German soldier ever having been buried in the Vaucresson. This makes me think that Günther may have been killed in a vehicle somewhere outside Vaucresson, but that his mates brought his body back and buried him in the house that they had been quartered in during the occupation.

I then decided to try to locate Günther's family. Unfortunately he was from Löwenberg, which is now in Poland, and which always makes research more difficult. After numerous letters and attempts, including getting an anouncement published in the journal published by the former Löwenberg residents association, I was able to find out more about Günther.

Kurt Günther was not married at the time of his death, and so I assume he has no children. He had two sisters and a mother, who all fled to east Germany at the end of the war. The mother died in the 60s. Neither of the sisters ever married. One of them ended up living in a mental hospital for 30 or so years before dying. The other sister fled to Köln, western Germany, where she died in 2000.

The fact none of three siblings maried or had children is odd for the period. I wonder if there was some sort of dark family problem? It seems I have reached the end of my research possibilities. Kurt Günther had no children, nephews or nieces. Apparently no close relatives remain.

His helmet however reminds us of a Flak soldier who died far away from home.

I am hoping one day someone may find a Sterbebild for Kurt Günther, 15.6.1912+20.8.1944, and google him and find this thread. If such is the case, please contact me.

Jean-Loup

[jacquesf]

JL great find and presentation as always. J

[dragnet]

One in a million

[Jan B]

JL, great history and helmet!
This is what collecting is all about. Hope you are able to get that sterbebild once

Best regards,
Jan B.

[Jørn Schmidt]

Very interesting,thanks for showing

[bigschuss]

That's about as good as it gets right there best Jean-Loup! An amazing helmet with a great story. The pic puts it over the top.

[TheCleaner]

Very interesting yet sad story. Thanks for sharing

[panzer1432]

That's about as good as it gets right there best Jean-Loup! An amazing helmet with a great story. The pic puts it over the top.

Agreed... he was 32 years old.

[RonR]

JL,


Incredible!


Best regards,

[no1canuck]

A unique piece of history for sure. Thank you for sharing it.

Steve

[ValhallaMilitaria]

I would not be able to resist such a helmet, what a story and so exciting to see that period photo and have total knowledge of who it belonged to and such a tragic end for him. Fantastic!