Photos of Americans wearing WWI French Helmets

[Bugme]

I found the reference I mentioned earlier. It's from a letter written by Capt. Hamilton Fish of the 369th Infantry.

 

"We are, to all intents and purposes, a part of the French army, and supplied by them with all of our rifles, bayonets, helmets, gas masks, knapsacks, food and ammunition. The men looked splendid in the American khaki uniforms and French leather equipment and brown helmets."

Awesome information Ian!

[BEAST]

In 1986, I corresponded with a vet of SSU 598 and asked him about his helmet. His reply was " We were issued French Army helmets in France, no Red Cross on them. Also issued French gas masks. However in October 1918 we were issued regular US Army helmets and gas masks."

[BEAST]

This has been a great thread!! Please post me if you have them!

 

I have a few photos of yanks wearing French helmets, but this is one of the best. Unfortunately it is faded, but I was able to bring the image out a little bit. The photo is part of an US Army Ambulance Service (USAAS) group that I have. For those of you who may be interested, The USAAS was modeled off of the AFS, but all members were part of the US Army. This group belonged to a veteran of Section 598 which was formed at Purdue University. Someday I'll post the entire group.

 

 

[jagjetta]

Well this photo knocked me out of my chair today. My buddy, "Bunkerhillburning" posted this in an AFS thread at Pixpast.com. I am reposting it here with his permission (with proper credit: Historicimage.com).

 

 

This is what BHBurning had to say about it:

 

"The ones I have which are all definately American Red Cross in France. In fact - one very large sign states as such above a building. This group was taking care of war orphans...' Toul sector ' is written on the back in period pencil script. "

 

This is amazing. He recognized the trench line in the photo I posted of what I thought was an AFS man in Italy (based on the ebay description). Clearly, though, it seems they are in France.

 

And most amazingly, check out the helmet in the foreground! Great image. For the full thread:

 

AFS thread on PixPast.com

 

John

[Bugme]

Wow John, awesome and extremely clear photo!

[RelicHunter99]

I've seen examples of American worn adrian helmets both blue and colonial mustard color, with and without bombs, and with the AFS flag/wreath.

 

Because they were volunteers, I think that they wore a great variety of helmets, whatever was available or whatever they could fashion together. This lack of uniformity may seem at odds with traditional United States militaria, but I think that's just how it is.

[Bugme]

I've seen examples of American worn adrian helmets both blue and colonial mustard color, with and without bombs, and with the AFS flag/wreath.

 

Because they were volunteers, I think that they wore a great variety of helmets, whatever was available or whatever they could fashion together. This lack of uniformity may seem at odds with traditional United States militaria, but I think that's just how it is.

Agreed, WWI was the transformational war in that it moved from Traditional Colonial/European type warfare into the Mechanized age. Helmets were only a recent development in the then: "modern" war. So, supply for the demand was working to catch up. By the end of WWI, most everyone was pretty standardized.

[bunkerhillburning]

Agreed, WWI was the transformational war in that it moved from Traditional Colonial/European type warfare into the Mechanized age. Helmets were only a recent development in the then: "modern" war. So, supply for the demand was working to catch up. By the end of WWI, most everyone was pretty standardized.

 

 

Hello Bugme,

 

When I have a free minute I will post a photo depicting two American Red cross nurses with their gasmasks, one is wearing an Adrian helmet. The photo is from the same group depicting the four soldiers in a trench with the foreground gent wearing the shield variety of Adrian. That location is identified as ' Toul Sector 1917-1918 ' on the back.

 

I wondered if you might help me better understand the market for these helmets. My knowledge is limited but have begun studying what I could find as far as prices. I noted one Adrian on ebay which sold for $8,000.00. Perhapes you could give me a run down of rarity and values based on designs / or country of use? What is the most rare type? Any record auction prices? I attend a lot of auctions / estate sales and have been buying and selling antiques for years including military.

 

My sincere thanks,

 

bunkerhillburning

[bunkerhillburning]

Hello Bugme,

 

When I have a free minute I will post a photo depicting two American Red cross nurses with their gasmasks, one is wearing an Adrian helmet. The photo is from the same group depicting the four soldiers in a trench with the foreground gent wearing the shield variety of Adrian. That location is identified as ' Toul Sector 1917-1918 ' on the back.

 

I wondered if you might help me better understand the market for these helmets. My knowledge is limited but have begun studying what I could find as far as prices. I noted one Adrian on ebay which sold for $8,000.00. Perhapes you could give me a run down of rarity and values based on designs / or country of use? What is the most rare type? Any record auction prices? I attend a lot of auctions / estate sales and have been buying and selling antiques for years including military.

 

My sincere thanks,

 

bunkerhillburning

 

 

Should have noted that the 8,000.00 Adrian was used by the Greek military.

[Croix de Guerre]

This has been a great thread!! Please post me if you have them!

 

I have a few photos of yanks wearing French helmets, but this is one of the best. Unfortunately it is faded, but I was able to bring the image out a little bit. The photo is part of an US Army Ambulance Service (USAAS) group that I have. For those of you who may be interested, The USAAS was modeled off of the AFS, but all members were part of the US Army. This group belonged to a veteran of Section 598 which was formed at Purdue University. Someday I'll post the entire group.

 

Eric, Wow! Great photo! I havn't looked at this thread for a while and then I come back and whammo! Great photo!

[Croix de Guerre]

Well this photo knocked me out of my chair today. My buddy, "Bunkerhillburning" posted this in an AFS thread at Pixpast.com. I am reposting it here with his permission (with proper credit: Historicimage.com).

 

 

This is what BHBurning had to say about it:

 

"The ones I have which are all definately American Red Cross in France. In fact - one very large sign states as such above a building. This group was taking care of war orphans...' Toul sector ' is written on the back in period pencil script. "

 

This is amazing. He recognized the trench line in the photo I posted of what I thought was an AFS man in Italy (based on the ebay description). Clearly, though, it seems they are in France.

 

And most amazingly, check out the helmet in the foreground! Great image. For the full thread:

 

AFS thread on PixPast.com

 

John

 

WOW! Great photo!

 

Your quote: This is amazing. He recognized the trench line in the photo I posted of what I thought was an AFS man in Italy (based on the ebay description). Clearly, though, it seems they are in France.

 

There were no "AFS" men in Italy. The American Field Service did not field any sections in Italy. The American Red Cross did however and some of the men that served in Italy were former AFS or Norton-Harjes guys.

[boisbelleau]

Hello all,

 

Found this while going through my collection of Mid Week Pictorials...

 

 

I'll scan a close-up and post next.

 

BB

[boisbelleau]

Close-up:

 

 

BB

[Clayton]

These are amazing WWI images.

 

Many thanks for sharing,

 

Clay

[Croix de Guerre]

Close-up:

 

 

BB

 

Very interesting photos. If things had gone differently, we would all have had painted adrian helmets with our doughboy groups.

[gitana]

There were no "AFS" men in Italy. The American Field Service did not field any sections in Italy. The American Red Cross did however and some of the men that served in Italy were former AFS or Norton-Harjes guys.

 

I came across this post on warrelics discussing the following grouping. Was the AAS part of the AFS? Anyway:

 

He volunteered with the American Field Service on May 5, 1917 [and] was assigned to the Champagne District. After serving for six months, he was discharged from the AFS in October 30, 1917 and returned to the US. He then enlisted in the U.S Army and was assigned to the United States Army Ambulance Service. Bound for France, Brem's section was diverted to serve alongside the 332nd Infantry Regiment in Italy! The United States as a token sign of support for their new Italian Allies had dispatched one regiment of US Infantry to serve in Italy. Brem remained in Italy from February 7, 1918 until returning back home to the States where he was discharged on April 26, 1919.

[BEAST]

I came across this post on warrelics discussing the following grouping. Was the AAS part of the AFS? Anyway:

 

He volunteered with the American Field Service on May 5, 1917 [and] was assigned to the Champagne District. After serving for six months, he was discharged from the AFS in October 30, 1917 and returned to the US. He then enlisted in the U.S Army and was assigned to the United States Army Ambulance Service. Bound for France, Brem's section was diverted to serve alongside the 332nd Infantry Regiment in Italy! The United States as a token sign of support for their new Italian Allies had dispatched one regiment of US Infantry to serve in Italy. Brem remained in Italy from February 7, 1918 until returning back home to the States where he was discharged on April 26, 1919.

 

Gitana,

 

The USAAS was not part of the AFS, as it was part of the US Army. However it was similar as it was made up of volunteers from colleges and universities and normally did not serve as part of a US Army division. In France, they were assigned to French Divisions and as mentioned above in Italy they were assigned with Italian units and the US 332nd Infantry.

 

For more information on the USAAS, go to:

 

http://www.ourstory.info/library/2-ww1/Smucker/usaacTC.html

[JDR]

On 1/27/2012 at 9:19 PM, aef1917 said:

Lt. Col. Hayward (369th Inf.) et al. at Vienne La Ville. Again, no visible badges.

I just visited the WW1 Museum in Kansas City Missouri and ran across a very good blown up version of this photo that clearly shows no badges are on Col. Hayward or the other soldier’s helmets. Probably the best quality version of this photo I’ve seen

[JDR]

On 1/22/2022 at 6:09 PM, UnteroffizierFSAR9 said:

I just visited the WW1 Museum in Kansas City Missouri and ran across a very good blown up version of this photo that clearly shows no badges are on Col. Hayward or the other soldier’s helmets. Probably the best quality version of this photo I’ve seen

Again I apologize for posting here so much but I just found moving footage of this scene as well and it appears COL. Hayward is sporting a badge on his helmet. I am not entirely sure if it is a French badge or not but it stands out against the color of his helmet.

 

The scene starts at about 05:42 into this video:

 

 

 

[Croix de Guerre]

On 1/26/2022 at 8:25 AM, UnteroffizierFSAR9 said:

Again I apologize for posting here so much but I just found moving footage of this scene as well and it appears COL. Hayward is sporting a badge on his helmet. I am not entirely sure if it is a French badge or not but it stands out against the color of his helmet.

 

The scene starts at about 05:42 into this video:

 

 

 

 

 

It really is amazing how small the world is when you really begin looking!  The close-up of you posted of the white American officer wearing a French helmet is truly incredible.  The current coincidence is hard to believe as well.  The man featured in the vignette was Lt. Durant Rice of New York.  Rice was the son of Dr. Edmund Rice a New York ear, nose and throat specialist and his mother was Jeanne Durant who operated the famous Durant Kilns, a pottery manufacturer whose works are highly sought after be collectors today. Rice is of particular interest to me as he served as one of the original members of American Field Service Section Three.  Rice served in the AFS for around one year, then returned to the US and went to the Border with the New York National Guard.  Upon returning to New York, he was recruited by Hamilton Fish to join the 15th New York infantry which later became the 369th Infantry while attached to the French army.  

 

 

[Croix de Guerre]

Sous-Chef Durant Rice in 1915 while a volunteer ambulance driver with American Ambulance Field Service Section Three.  

[JDR]

On 2/15/2022 at 7:17 AM, Croix de Guerre said:

Sous-Chef Durant Rice in 1915 while a volunteer ambulance driver with American Ambulance Field Service Section Three.  

Wow that’s awesome! I’m currently scrounging the earth looking for a photo of the F company commander, Lt. Otto Arnston. He originally was a platoon commander when the 369th shipped to France in January of 1918 but I’m guessing the original F company CO was wounded or killed.

 

 I have Lt. Otto’s uniform and trousers (that’s why I’m doing the research) and the only thing I’m able to go off of is that he was pretty tall at 6’3.” His battalion CO nicknamed him “Honest Abe” due to his height!