Eric Queen Posted August 24, 2015 #1 Posted August 24, 2015 Nearly 40 years ago a friend of mine in the Seattle area picked this up from a man who had served with the 187th PIR. He was part of the contingent of "Rakkasans" at San Pablo Airfield (Leyte, PI) when the Japanese Army's 3rd Parachute Regiment launched an airborne assault during the night of December 6th, 1944. Additional objectives of the assault were the airfields at Buri and Burauen. I think the 187th is the only American Airborne regiment to have been assaulted from the air during WWII. This helmet was taken directly from one of those 306 Japanese paratroopers. I was fortunate enough to acquire the piece a couple years back. To me, the most historical Japanese paratrooper helmet I have come across. This is a first model helmet (leather vs. cloth flaps) Notice how it has been camouflaged for a night operation (by what appears to be wood stain or gun oil or something like that). It definitely is NOT post war applied lacquer or something like that.
Eric Queen Posted August 24, 2015 Author #7 Posted August 24, 2015 And here is the best part. It is actually named (family name = KUBO). This is the only named army paratrooper helmet I have ever heard of.
Eric Queen Posted August 24, 2015 Author #9 Posted August 24, 2015 The name is hand stitched black thread. Not ink.
Ronny67 Posted August 24, 2015 #10 Posted August 24, 2015 JOLLY GOOD! Thats the coolest Japanese item I have ever seen...
mcmike Posted August 24, 2015 #11 Posted August 24, 2015 Beautiful helmet and very interesting story!
268th C.A. Posted August 24, 2015 #12 Posted August 24, 2015 Wow that's the coolest Japanese helmet I've seen in awhile! Very impressive!
sundance Posted August 24, 2015 #15 Posted August 24, 2015 I have to join the crowd - a real Holy Grail piece. I didn't know there was such a thing but I'd love to have one or at least see one. Is it metal construction with some sort of covering?
Cap Camouflage Pattern I Posted August 24, 2015 #17 Posted August 24, 2015 I don't think I've seen any Japanese bring-back helmets.
crotalus358 Posted August 24, 2015 #18 Posted August 24, 2015 Absolutely amazing, historical bring back!! Outstanding! Steve
mywifesays-ohno-morestuff Posted August 25, 2015 #19 Posted August 25, 2015 Fantastic! I've been collecting 6 years and seeing things like this really keep me in awe. Knowing that the interesting and rare are still out there is what helps keep me hunting. Thanks for showing the helmet.
Eric Queen Posted August 25, 2015 Author #20 Posted August 25, 2015 Glad that you guys enjoyed taking a look at this. Thanks for the comments. Has anyone on the forum had the opportunity to speak with one of these guys (187 PIR at Leyte) directly? It would be interesting to hear what they told you and what types of material they brought back.
BROBS Posted August 25, 2015 #21 Posted August 25, 2015 really nothing to add here besides another "cool" or "awesome"! because that's what it is! thanks for sharing.
Bugme Posted August 25, 2015 #22 Posted August 25, 2015 Absolutely the best Japanese helmet I've ever seen and I mean, ever!
ugafx4 Posted August 25, 2015 #23 Posted August 25, 2015 Absolutely breathtaking. What a stunner! Fascinating history!
katieony Posted August 25, 2015 #25 Posted August 25, 2015 Amazing helmet and story...thanks for posting! Mike
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