ID stamp / Translation required please

[wtxh7]

Some inside pics...


Attachment 1654472
Attachment 1654475
Attachment 1654476

特五兵（special grade 5th soldier?）
林工(Hayashi takumi）A kind of respectful title for 林前忠? similar to Gerneral MacArthur or Prof. John
Just some thougts, may be wrong
Tim

[adachi]

The interior of the helmet says Ko (abbreviation for Kosakutai), Hayashi - Kure 5 Special (Kure 5th SNLF). It looks like my guess was correct.
The Kure 5th SNLF was the main force involved in the botched invasion of Milne Bay. Of the 618 men of the Kure 5th SNLF that landed, 214 would be KIA/MIA, this included much of the cadre along with their commander who was also named Hayashi (very common surname), effectively destroying the unit.

Edit: there is an exceptionally good chart of materiel losses taken by the Japanese forces at Milne Bay recorded by the IJN 18th Squadron. I consulted it and it states the Kure 5th SNLF brought 650 helmets to the battle and lost 530 of them. It seems a lot of equipment was left scattered in the jungle as they rushed back to Rabaul.

[ghp95134]

林 前忠
Hayashi Maechu

• The given name Maechu is pronounced "Mai-choo."

工作隊
Kōsaku-tai
Combat Engineers / Construction

呉五特186
Kure 5, Special 186

-- Guy

[Gunbatsu]

Paul, Amazing Helmet lots of history. Thanks for sharing

[delibes]

Very nice helmet.

[FMS-Paul]

Thank you Austin and Guy , very much appreciate your help and translation.

Thank you to all others that commented and translated also.

Also noticed sand partials under liner which reminded me of the type of sand that I had seen some years ago on a Guadalcanal-Solomon Islands trip.

A dark grey/black with white specs type of coloured sand.