Bugme Posted April 23, 2015 Share #1 Posted April 23, 2015 I've looked for years for a nice example of a 32nd Division M-1917. Sadly, there are not a lot of these and I've had to settle for mediocre examples... until this year. Thanks to some good old fashioned horse trading and a bit of cash at the SOS, I was able to get this one from Jeff Shrader at Advanced Guard. I've waited a long time, but it was worth the wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted April 23, 2015 One of the cooler things about this helmet is that inside of the brim chronicles the soldiers induction, training, transport, countries visited, crossing the Rhine and getting home. Sadly a few things are missing do to heavy patina in one area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted April 23, 2015 Share #3 Posted April 23, 2015 whoa. that is insane! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted April 23, 2015 One of the things he mentioned was being torpedoed. Thanks to a fellow forum member we were able to track it down to the SS Tuscania which was torpedoed and sunk on February 5th, 1918. 2114 U.S. troops were onboard with about 200 soldiers and sailors lost to the sinking. According to the 32nd history, these troops were all part of the 32nd Division including those of the 107th Engineer Train. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted April 23, 2015 Share #5 Posted April 23, 2015 That's a beautiful helmet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted April 23, 2015 Share #6 Posted April 23, 2015 Holy cow that's something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant G. Posted April 23, 2015 Share #7 Posted April 23, 2015 Awesome helmet, Scott! Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otter42 Posted April 23, 2015 Share #8 Posted April 23, 2015 Do you have the owners name? Incredible piece of history and with the ship being torpedoed, what a unique find! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted April 23, 2015 Share #9 Posted April 23, 2015 WOW. That is some artwork! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted April 23, 2015 Share #10 Posted April 23, 2015 Absolutely beautiful artwork! I appreciate you posting the pictures! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLHSS Posted April 23, 2015 Share #11 Posted April 23, 2015 Outstanding Scott!Thanks for posting. ... It's quite the upgrade You may be able to piece together the missing timeline using the unit history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww1buff Posted April 23, 2015 Share #12 Posted April 23, 2015 If you have not figured it out already, the missing section in your photo most likely reads: A. Luxembourg Nov [?] L. " Dec [?] A. Germany Dec. 3 A. West Bank of the Rhine Dec. [?] A. Coblenz Dec. 13, 1918 L. " " 17 " "A." standing for "Arrived" and "L" for "Left." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted April 23, 2015 Share #13 Posted April 23, 2015 Incredible! Very nice Scott. Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted April 23, 2015 Share #14 Posted April 23, 2015 Bazinga!!!!........mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted April 23, 2015 Thanks guys, your comments, suggestions and input are appreciated!As for the name of this guy, I have not figured it out yet, however there was a very small number of 32nd guys who enlisted on June 11th, arrived at Camp Douglas on August 11th and were in the 107th. So, I am working on narrowing it down.I have also found a copy of History of the 107th Engineers with chronological history and dates so, I will be able to fill in most blanks as I research this more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted April 23, 2015 Share #16 Posted April 23, 2015 There is a website that contains the passenger list from the Tuscania broken down by units. The sinking of the Tuscania was the largest single loss of life of American military members since the Civil War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share #17 Posted April 23, 2015 There is a website that contains the passenger list from the Tuscania broken down by units. The sinking of the Tuscania was the largest single loss of life of American military members since the Civil War. Thanks! I just found it in the New York Times archives. It has a complete list including the names of the 77 men of the 107th Engineer Train onboard the Tuscania. This should really help in narrowing it down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave peifer Posted April 24, 2015 Share #18 Posted April 24, 2015 scott.........i have to say that is the best example of that type of ww1 helmet art i've seen.............dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normaninvasion Posted April 24, 2015 Share #19 Posted April 24, 2015 Beautiful helmet! All the bells and whistles and a diary to boot! From the pics it looks like the soldier did all the work, helluva artist! jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Bast Posted April 24, 2015 Share #20 Posted April 24, 2015 My, my, look at all those happy little trees! Seriously though, I've never seen anything quite so unique. What an amazing combination of folk art, trench art, military history and a soldier's personal experiences all wrapped up in beautiful and unique WWI helmet. Congratulations and thanks so much for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screamingeagles101 Posted April 24, 2015 Share #21 Posted April 24, 2015 That is an AWSOME !!! I never seen one like it ! It truly is 1 of a kind ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted April 24, 2015 Share #22 Posted April 24, 2015 Since he went through Camp Douglas upon mustering in, he would have been in either Co. D, E or F. These were the Wisconsin companies. A, B and C were from Michigan and went through Camp Custer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted April 24, 2015 Share #23 Posted April 24, 2015 Scott, That is a centerpiece of any collection! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luxembourg Posted April 24, 2015 Share #24 Posted April 24, 2015 If you have not figured it out already, the missing section in your photo most likely reads: A. Luxembourg Nov [?] L. " Dec [?] A. Germany Dec. 3 A. West Bank of the Rhine Dec. [?] A. Coblenz Dec. 13, 1918 L. " " 17 " "A." standing for "Arrived" and "L" for "Left." There is written Luxemburg on the helmet, in english it is indeed (as you wrote) Luxembourg. Luxemburg is german as the word Burg means 'castle' in english. I'm just confused because if he was actually in Luxembourg why doesn't he know that? You'll find the word Luxemburg only in Germany, even here in Luxembourg we write it with 'ou'. Just my thought as he translated the other (german) towns correctly. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted April 24, 2015 Share #25 Posted April 24, 2015 There is written Luxemburg on the helmet, in english it is indeed (as you wrote) Luxembourg. Luxemburg is german as the word Burg means 'castle' in english. I'm just confused because if he was actually in Luxembourg why doesn't he know that? You'll find the word Luxemburg only in Germany, even here in Luxembourg we write it with 'ou'. Just my thought as he translated the other (german) towns correctly. Alex There is a Luxemburg in northeast Wisconsin. This might be another clue to his identity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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