militbuff Posted May 4, 2022 Share #1 Posted May 4, 2022 I just recently picked up this incredible helmet from a man who was a the neighbor of the Colonel. When he was a young boy in the 1950s, a Colonel B*R*I*D*G*E*S gave him the helmet. I’ve done some research on the Colonel and his full name was W. (William)D. (Denniston) B*R*I*D*G*E*S. He commanded the 1119th on D-Day, elements of which landed on Omaha at H+15 minutes right after the 1st ID. On July 30th, he was given command of the 5th Engineer Special Brigade (ESB) when the CO fell sick. He commanded the 5th ESB for the remainder of the war. He was awarded a Purple Heart and 3 Bronze Stars during the war and I imagine both the PH and one of the Bronze Stars were earned at D-Day. The helmet is in very good condition and you can easily see where the invasion white arc was originally painted on the front of the helmet until it was painted over sometime after D-Day. A really incredible helmet straight out of the woodwork! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
militbuff Posted May 4, 2022 Author Share #2 Posted May 4, 2022 Here is some info I was able to find online about him and his service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted May 4, 2022 Share #3 Posted May 4, 2022 Jaw Dropping! Just WOW! BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wake1941 Posted May 4, 2022 Share #4 Posted May 4, 2022 Stunning helmet, thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
militbuff Posted May 4, 2022 Author Share #5 Posted May 4, 2022 Thanks! I just googled his name this time with the 5th ESB and I actually found a picture of the Colonel from the Daily Mail, April 2013 (cool set of photos) holding his matching helmet liner shortly after Normandy at a cemetery. I’m not sure whatever happened to his liner but he sure had one at one point in time. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one with the helmet when I got it. What a small world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
644td Posted May 4, 2022 Share #6 Posted May 4, 2022 One of the best helmets I’ve seen in a long time. That’s truly an incredible helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted May 4, 2022 Share #7 Posted May 4, 2022 That's a beauty of a helmet, just super. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddyd00 Posted May 4, 2022 Share #8 Posted May 4, 2022 Very rare. The condition is astounding. Well done mate. Tippity Top Shelf Z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Boban Posted May 5, 2022 Share #9 Posted May 5, 2022 Nice find! Here's a link to a high-resolution copy of Col Bridges' photo. Flickr Photosnormandie - P012161 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdk0911 Posted May 5, 2022 Share #10 Posted May 5, 2022 what a super helmet - well done - the top of the shelf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
militbuff Posted May 5, 2022 Author Share #11 Posted May 5, 2022 Thanks to all for the comments and thanks Alex for the high-res photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchfoot Posted May 5, 2022 Share #12 Posted May 5, 2022 All I can say is WOW Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueprint Posted May 5, 2022 Share #13 Posted May 5, 2022 Great lid and important history! Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot329 Posted May 5, 2022 Share #14 Posted May 5, 2022 That is the coolest piece I've seen in a long time, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted May 5, 2022 Share #15 Posted May 5, 2022 A very interesting and historic helmet! Thank you for sharing it! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M24 Chaffee Posted May 5, 2022 Share #16 Posted May 5, 2022 Great looking helmet and top shelf history to go with it! Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timberwolf Posted May 5, 2022 Share #17 Posted May 5, 2022 I'm not a helmet guy but that is one special lid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
897 ORD Posted May 5, 2022 Share #18 Posted May 5, 2022 WOW, fantastic helmet! Great research, thank you for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdMarDivMP Posted May 6, 2022 Share #19 Posted May 6, 2022 Stunning - simply stunning!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted May 9, 2022 Share #20 Posted May 9, 2022 Outstanding helmet! Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_usmc Posted June 25, 2022 Share #21 Posted June 25, 2022 On 5/4/2022 at 2:00 PM, militbuff said: Thanks! I just googled his name this time with the 5th ESB and I actually found a picture of the Colonel from the Daily Mail, April 2013 (cool set of photos) holding his matching helmet liner shortly after Normandy at a cemetery. I’m not sure whatever happened to his liner but he sure had one at one point in time. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one with the helmet when I got it. What a small world. Incredible helmet, and this photo just takes the cake! Even though you don't have the liner, it's incredible to see the exact same design in his hands. Fantastic, thanks for sharing! Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted June 25, 2022 Share #22 Posted June 25, 2022 I wonder how high this will sell for. I was following the auction and had to check to see if it was discussed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted June 25, 2022 Share #23 Posted June 25, 2022 Where is it for sale? 3 hours ago, rhill13 said: I wonder how high this will sell for. I was following the auction and had to check to see if it was discussed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhill13 Posted June 25, 2022 Share #24 Posted June 25, 2022 https://florida.hibid.com/lot/68508-378402-43869/wwii-d-day-1119th-combat-eng--group-named-helmet?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=saturday_6%2F25%2F22 happy bidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoose Posted July 5, 2022 Share #25 Posted July 5, 2022 Looks like OP found a quick payday. Great helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now