WW2 helmets found in France linked to SS massacre

In a recent interview, historian John Head shared the emotional journey of uncovering two World War II helmets belonging to soldiers who were tragically executed during the Le Paradis Massacre in May 1940. “When I received the email from farmer Jean-Charles Dufour about the discovery, I was stunned,” Head revealed. The helmets, which were found in a barn while Dufour was clearing out the property for sale, were identified as being of Royal Norfolk issue, according to military historian Neil Storey.

Head recounted the somber history behind the massacre, which occurred when soldiers from the British Expeditionary Force, low on supplies and ammunition after 17 days of fierce fighting, surrendered at Le Paradis. These soldiers, numbering 99, anticipated being treated as prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions but instead faced a brutal execution ordered by Captain Fritz Knoechlein of the SS. Out of the original group, only two men—Pte. Bert Pooley and Pte. Bill O’Callaghan—managed to survive.

Storey emphasized the significance of the helmets, stating, “Of the 99 men machine-gunned, 97 did not survive. If these helmets don’t belong to the survivors, they could represent the only artifacts returned from those who died—highlighting their immense importance.”

The story moved relatives of the victims deeply when they learned about the helmets’ return. “It’s been very emotional for those connected to the massacre,” Head noted.

The helmets themselves show signs of age, with faded yellow oblongs and black pigments that signify their association with the Norfolk battalion. Storey explained that the yellow represented the regiment’s color, while the black mourning line was a tribute to Sir John Moore, a historical figure of the 9th Regiment of Foot.

Following a heartfelt agreement between the historians and the Le Paradis museum, one helmet will be housed there, while the other heads to the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum in Norwich Castle. “We wanted to ensure these items would be displayed with the respect they deserve,” Head affirmed.

The emotional weight of this discovery underscores not only the impact of the massacre but also the importance of remembering these soldiers and their legacies.