1792 - British helmet from the 51st Highland Infantry Division. MK II helmet shell. Serial number 279089 visible under the shell. Lining present but damaged. The drawstring is missing. Manufactured by CCL in 1943, size 7 1/4. MK II chin strap is complete but damaged and oxidized. Paint is flaking over 70% of the surface. Insignia of the 51st Highland Infantry Division is 80% intact. Insignia has been cleaned and polished. Some traces of black paint. Note: The item shows some wear and patina. Condition II+. The majority of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division landed in Normandy on June 7, 1944, the day after D-Day, as part of Operation Overlord. It was then placed under the command of the British I Corps, led by Lieutenant General John Crocker. After a brief period spent supporting the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, the 51st Division was transferred east of the Orne River. It remained there for nearly two months to support the British 6th Airborne Division, which was holding the bridgehead established on the eastern bank of the river. During this period, the division was engaged in a series of battles, particularly those aimed at consolidating and defending Allied positions east of the Orne. In particular, it took part in the battles fought in the Breville sector on June 11 and 12, 1944, as well as in the operations conducted around Colombelles. These engagements were part of the efforts undertaken by British forces to maintain and expand their bridgehead east of the Orne, while containing the German forces deployed in this sector of the Normandy front. British 51st Highland Infantry Division helmet. MK II helmet shell. Service number 279089 visible inside the shell. Liner present but damaged. Drawstring missing. Manufactured by CCL in 1943, size 7 1/4. Complete MK II chinstrap, but damaged and oxidized. Approximately 70% of the textured paint remains. Approximately 80% of the 51st Highland Infantry Division insignia remains. Insignia has been cleaned and rubbed. Some traces of black paint. Some wear and patina on the piece. Condition II+. Most of the 51st Highland Infantry Division landed in Normandy on June 7, 1944—the day after D-Day—as part of Operation Overlord. It was then placed under the command of British I Corps, led by Lieutenant General John Crocker. After a brief period supporting the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, the 51st Division was transferred east of the Orne. It remained there for nearly two months in support of the British 6th Airborne Division, which held the bridgehead established on the eastern bank of the river. During this period, the division was involved in a series of particularly fierce battles to consolidate and defend the Allied positions east of the Orne. Notably, it took part in the fighting in the Breville sector on June 11 and 12, 1944, as well as in operations around Colombelles. These engagements were part of British efforts to maintain and expand their bridgehead east of the Orne while containing the German forces deployed in this sector of the Normandy front.