Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great example of a genuine Australian Mark II steel helmet, complete with original liner and chinstrap. It’s clearly marked on both chinstrap bales MkII 1942.

The chin strap bales in Australian helmets are where the date was located. This example is dated 1942 on both MkIII marked chin strap lugs. The paint appears to be in very good condition, and is the original sand textured Australian Army Khaki-Green No.3. Shell is overall in great shape with no major issues. There is no rim reinforcement, as there was no machinery in Australia available to bend the manganese steel strip. The original liner is also in excellent condition with the usual service wear present. The chinstrap is still present and in complete, serviceable condition. The shell is marked with heat stamp 1596.

A wonderful WWII 1942 dated Australian helmet that comes ready for display.

Australia entered World War II on 3 September 1939, following the government's acceptance of the United Kingdom's declaration of war on NSDAP Germany. Australia later entered into a state of war with other members of the Axis powers, including the Kingdom of Italy on 11 June 1940, and the Empire of Japan on 9 December 1941. By the end of the war, almost a million Australians had served in the armed forces, whose military units fought primarily in the European theatre, North African campaign, and the South West Pacific theatre. In addition, Australia came under direct attack for the first time in its post-colonial history. Its casualties from enemy action during the war were 27,073 killed and 23,477 wounded. Many more suffered from tropical disease, hunger, and harsh conditions in captivity; of the 21,467 Australian prisoners taken by the Japanese, only 14,000 survived.

Australian Army units were gradually withdrawn from the Mediterranean and Europe following the outbreak of war with Japan. However, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy units and personnel continued to take part in the war against Germany and Italy. From 1942 until early 1944, Australian forces played a key role in the Pacific War, making up the majority of Allied strength throughout much of the fighting in the South West Pacific theatre. While the military was largely relegated to subsidiary fronts from mid-1944, it continued offensive operations against the Japanese until the war ended.

World War II contributed to major changes in the nation's economy, military and foreign policy. The war accelerated the process of industrialisation, led to the development of a larger peacetime military and began the process with which Australia shifted the focus of its foreign policy from Britain to the United States. The final effects of the war also contributed to the development of a more diverse and cosmopolitan Australian society.