More than 50 helmets from both World Wars have been discovered only feet away from the Institute of Archaeology of the University of Wrocław. Most of them are German M35 and M42 models manufactured before and during World War II, but there are also some M16 models from World War I, two M38 Luftschutz helmets designed for the German Air Defense, one W31 Polish helmet and one Soviet SSz36.
The cache of protective gear was found during surface repairs to Koszarowa Street just steps from the Institute of Archaeology building. The barracks of the German army’s 8th Signal Battalion during the Nazi occupation of Poland were at this site.
Archaeologists believe the helmets were being stored on shelves in an outbuilding that was part of the barracks complex. They were probably not intended for combat use. Their variety of origin and ages and they way they were arranged on shelves suggests the unit used them for air and fire defense.
The helmets will be transferred to the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments who will decide their ultimate disposition.
Obelix’ helmet collection may come to mind here.
It seems as if that helmet cache had been in use in the years 1943 to 45. It also seems as if Wrocław had not even been part of what the Nazi Army assaulted in 1939, temporarily being part of the Free State of Prussia.
My guess would bei that those helmets were in use during the aftermath of the Allied bombardement of Breslau in Oktober 1944, until due to the imminent Soviet occupation, people had to quickly get rid of them.
Other ideas?