WWI US Army AEF M1917 Helmet Shell w/Hand Painted - Third III Corps Emblem RARE

Description

Original WWI Era US Army AEF M1917 Helmet Shell - Hand Painted - Third III Corps - RARE!!
Up for auction is an Original WWI Era USMC AEF M1917 Helmet Shell
.  This helmet has the orginal paint wth the original textured finish.  It has a hand painted Third III Corps Insignia.  It is very clear and easy to see, the three pointed caltrop, Navy Blue field with White center.  This is the shell ONLY, there is no liner or chin strap.  The rim of the helmet has a number stamped into it "HS88",  I assume some production code.  The rim is fully intact, not rusting and separating.  The helmet has the original paint, with no dings or dents in the helmet.
History
World War I
III Corps was first organized on 16 May 1918 in France.
It was designed as three of the four newly activated corps of the
American Expeditionary Force, which at that time number over 1,000,000 men in 23 divisions. The corps took command of US forces training with the
French Seventh Army
at the same time that
IV Corps
took command of US forces training with the
French Eighth Army.
Aisne-Marne campaign
In July, the corps was rushed to the
Villers-Cotterêts
area in preparation for the
Third Battle of the Aisne, the first major
Allied
counteroffensive of the year. There, it was put under the
French Tenth Army
and given administrative command of the
1st Division
and the
2nd Division
which were previously under command of the
French XX Corps.
However, the command group arrived in the area too late to exercise tactical command, and it was instead attached to the French XX Corps. On 18 July, the attack was launched, with the force spearheading the French Tenth Army's assault on the high ground south of
Soissons. During this attack, the Corps also cut rail lines supplying the German Army.
The first day of the attack was a success, but on the second day, the Germans were reinforced with heavier weapons and were able to blunt the attack, inflicting high casualties. The force was successful despite heavy casualties, and German forces were forced to retreat.
On 1 August, the corps arrived in the
Vesle
area near the
Marne River, where it assumed command of the
3rd Division,
28th Division, and
32nd Division
from the French XXXVIII Corps, placing side-by side with the
U.S. I Corps
for a few days.
Troops continued to advance until September when they withdrew to form the new
First United States Army.
Meuse-Argonne campaign
Map of the area during the Meuse-Argonne campaign
First Army formed up in preparation to advance in the
Meuse-Argonne
campaign. It consisted of over 600,000 men in I Corps, III Corps, and
V Corps. III Corps took the Army's east flank, protecting it as the Army advanced to
Montfaucon, then
Cunel
and
Romagne-sous-Montfaucon.
The offensive was slow and hampered by inexperience of many of the divisions under the Army's command, though III Corps was effective in protecting its sector.
They advanced through September and October, taking a few weeks for rest after the formation of
Second United States Army
.
On 1 November, the First Army went on a general offensive, pushing north to the
Meuse River
and the
Barricourt Ridge. It was successful, pushing German forces back and advancing to the river until the end of the war.
Around that time, the division received its
shoulder sleeve insignia, approving it by
telegram, though the insignia would not be officially authorized until 1922.
The corps was demobilized in
Neuwied, Germany
at the close of hostilities.
[15]
Following the end of World War I, III Corps remained in Europe for several months before it returned to the United States. It was demobilized at
Camp Sherman, Ohio.
This would make a wonderful addition to your WWI Helmet Collection.
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