Pith Helmets

[Mike_Oettle]

MacMillan of Rathdown wrote: “Humidity, or rather the lack of it, is a big factor.”

That’s exactly it. When the humidity is low, much higher temperatures are more bearable.
And the desert can also be cold at night.
Aside from those factors, heavy clothing also has its uses in the desert. The Long-Range Desert Group and others who used the tracks far south of the Mediterranean shores wore greatcoats and other clothing to wrap themselves up against the sand and the heat. Paradoxically it worked.
Regards,
Mike

[BobsYourUncle]

MacMillan of Rathdown wrote: “Humidity, or rather the lack of it, is a big factor.”

That’s exactly it. When the humidity is low, much higher temperatures are more bearable.
And the desert can also be cold at night.
Aside from those factors, heavy clothing also has its uses in the desert. The Long-Range Desert Group and others who used the tracks far south of the Mediterranean shores wore greatcoats and other clothing to wrap themselves up against the sand and the heat. Paradoxically it worked.
Regards,
Mike

You're both quite right, of course, and the photographic evidence is quite clear, showing the LRDG and SAS wearing giant wool British Army greatcoats while on road watch duty during the scorching daylight hours [see the book Band of Brigands, a great read], yet my mind still rebels at the notion...

[BoldHighlander]

Great photos BobsYourUncle, thanks for the research and putting them up here

Hear! Hear!

I come back from my medically enforced absence, and find these wonderful additions to the thread. Thank you!

That’s exactly it. When the humidity is low, much higher temperatures are more bearable.
And the desert can also be cold at night.

Memories of spending early August in the High Desert of Northern Nevada....loved it!
ith:

[BobsYourUncle]

Hear! Hear!

I come back from my medically enforced absence, and find these wonderful additions to the thread. Thank you!



Memories of spending early August in the High Desert of Northern Nevada....loved it!
ith:

Thanks for the kind words! This was a great idea for a thread, and I have enjoyed it thoroughly! You may have inspired me to complete my Boer War Argyll impression...