Item Description
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Few seem to know of the U.S. Army’s involvement in Russia at the end of World War I. Allied Forces served in both North Russia and Siberia with the brunt of the combat taking place in North Russia. These forces were there to recover and protect military supplies left at Russian ports for the anti-Bolshevik "White Russian" forces fighting both the Germans and the Bolshevik "Red" army in the Russian Civil War. They were also to rescue the Czech Legion stranded along the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
This is an exemplary example of a helmet painted for the Polar Bear Expedition, featuring a great mix of red, black, green, and white camouflage paint with RUSSIA painted on the crown in white, as most helmets painted by these soldiers had. This one is very unique in its colors, however, and the front bears the extremely scarce Polar Bear on a blue background, with a great snowy base addition. This is one of the greatest Polar Bear painted helmets we have ever seen, and the first we have ever offered.
The helmet is stamped under the brim ZC186 indicating this is an American-made helmet, and this is further proven by the single-rivet chinstrap bales.
The soldier was either in the Headquarters Company of the 339th Infantry Regiment or the 310th Engineer Regiment. The helmet retains its original liner and chinstrap which are in fantastic condition. On the side of the liner is written:
COMPT??
#21
HQ. CO
9TH or A.T.H. (Initials)
These markings are very interesting and could definitely lead to an I.D. with enough research. This is an extremely scarce helmet, one that we will likely not encounter again. Comes ready for further research and display.
The US Army formed the American North Russia Expeditionary Force or ANREF to assist her Allies in this Military Intervention. A contingent of about 5,000 soldiers landed in Arkhangelsk and quickly became engaged in combat with the Red Army forces in a campaign that spanned September 1918 through July 1919, well after the end of the war in Europe.
On July 14, 1918, the U.S. Army's 85th Division left training at Camp Custer, Michigan bound for France. Three days later, President Wilson agreed to US participation in the Allied Intervention and General Pershing changed the orders for the 339th Infantry Regiment with support units to head to North Russia. Rearmed with Russian rifles, they arrived in Arkhangelsk on September 4, 1918 and were placed under British command.
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