M1 helmet with red mp marking?

[shifty5580]

Hello guys,

Here is a helmet of my collection, found in Bra (near Manhay). After a small cleaning, I see a marking in red : MP.

But what is the signification of this colour for a MP marking? Someone say me 82nd airborne but don't have evidence

 

Thank's a lot

Bertrand

[ken88]

If 82nd it's not divisional. My guess would be traffic control or supply management, but far from certain!

[jkash23686]

You sure its originally red? I've seen several helmets in relic condition like this where the original marks were white, have just faded and and become a mixture of little to no pigment and rust.

[shifty5580]

Thank's,

The insignia is in red, sure 100%, but strange...

 

Bertrand

[ken88]

Bertrand,

 

it says in American Paratrooper Helmets by Michel De Trez all 82nd airborne mp helmets were marked with a stripe around the helmet. In the case of divisional MPs this stripe would be yellow.

 

 

Cheers

[shifty5580]

Thank's for this informations Ken88

Hope to find what is the signification

 

Bertrand

[cavscout6b]

In the case of divisional MPs this stripe would be yellow.

Not always. That has been tossed around before and there are too many exceptions. The US 1st Div. & 8th Div. used yellow (which the 8th later had a written order that recinded the yellow) and somehow that became gospel.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/184236-mp-marking-history/?fromsearch=1

 

There were others that used yellow, but specific Army-wide orders were not created until 1950's, and there are MANY original WW2 examples that defy that accepted pattern, sometimes even in the same platoon.

One of the interesting exceptions, was the MP platoon of the 28th Div. I think it might apply here, since the MP squad assigned to Div. HQ used red instead of the yellow. Some of the divisional MP helmets seemed roughly or hurridly done. The 28th spent A LOT of time and blood in Belgium. Manhay and Bra were well within their operational area; could that be a possibility?

[ken88]

The divisional MPs of the 82nd airborne were definitely given orders to respect color codes. The MPs of the 101st on the other hand just did whatever they thought was best.

 

There are divisional 82nd MP relics out there that do display the yellow stripe.

 

Not talking about the rest of the army here, just the 82nd...

 

Cheers

[cavscout6b]

Not talking about the rest of the army here, just the 82nd...

Alright; I follow. Actually I can't ever recall NOT seeing an 82nd without a yellow stripe.

On the other hand, I have never seen a 101st without a blue or white. (Always partial to the blue.)

[shifty5580]

So maybe 28th? Interesting, hope it's the solution!

 

Bertrand

[JS1]

Hi all,

I will pickup this helmet soon , also found in Belgium, with similar red MP marks. I thought it was interesting seeing it. There is also a red strip in front it seems. Thx !

 

[JS1]