Pith Helmets

[BoldHighlander]

Fascinating to see the variety of shapes among those pith helmets.
I still like the style of the type of hat worn (in white) by the British during the Zulu War and (in khaki) during the South African War.

Glad your enjoying them, Mike
If I had my choice I'd pick the khaki one, at least for field use (it wouldn't show dirt as quickly ).

Here's another one for you:



A few jocks (Gordons?) at a field hospital, Paardeberg Drift.

[Downunder Kilt]

Great photo Terry, and good to see you back, again. Hope that flu thing is all over now. In the top middle of the photo there is a soldier entering the doorway with what appears to be a slouch hat (that's what I make it out to be)

Can't imagine that this makeshift hospital was the best place to be when wounded. Can understand why so many either had limbs amputated or died of gangrene.

[Monkey@Arms]

Pithy



Best regards,

Jake

[Detroitpete]

While in my estimation, NO one pulls off the pith better than Panache...you will find MANY pith-topped englishman in the movie "Four Feathers" with Heath Ledger. I just finally had the opportunity to see this movie.

[Biathlonman]

This is a JOKE - as should have been obvious, but I guess I must spell it out.

It's Ho and General Giap speculating on what would happen had highlanders faced them in Vietnam. Of course the Legion, Rangers, LRRPs, SAS, Seals and other special forces caused them no end of grief.
I just want some weather that woull call for a pith helmet in the first place. Thanks to all those who dug up those great desert photos by the way.

[BoldHighlander]

I just want some weather that woull call for a pith helmet in the first place.

Aye, so do I! ith:

Thanks to all those who dug up those great desert photos by the way.

Your welcome! :mrgreen:

[macwilkin]

This is a JOKE - as should have been obvious, but I guess I must spell it out.

It's Ho and General Giap speculating on what would happen had highlanders faced them in Vietnam. Of course the Legion, Rangers, LRRPs, SAS, Seals and other special forces caused them no end of grief.
I just want some weather that woull call for a pith helmet in the first place. Thanks to all those who dug up those great desert photos by the way.

There were Highlanders in Malaya & Borneo, though, as well as C Squadron, Rhodesian SAS.

For those wanting to read about the Aussies in Vietnam, Gary McKay's In Good Company is a good place to start.

T.

[Jock Scot]

Topee/Topi aka "Bombay Bowler". As in pith helmet.

[Biathlonman]

I have visions of ancient, pith-helmeted 90-something Germans and Brits offering themselves up to Libyan rebels as "technical experts" to the Libyan rebels - the ex-Afrika Korps men all scrawny-necked in their pith helmets, and the Brits in battered Wolseley solar topees. All hoping to pick up a bit of dosh based on their experiences with Rommel and Monty. And to buy new dentures perhaps. If you every read up about Richard Von Meinertzhagen, it isn't so impossible though.

[macwilkin]

I have visions of ancient, pith-helmeted 90-something Germans and Brits offering themselves up to Libyan rebels as "technical experts" to the Libyan rebels - the ex-Afrika Korps men all scrawny-necked in their pith helmets, and the Brits in battered Wolseley solar topees. All hoping to pick up a bit of dosh based on their experiences with Rommel and Monty. And to buy new dentures perhaps. If you every read up about Richard Von Meinertzhagen, it isn't so impossible though.

You haven't seen the new book on the Meinertzhagen (no "Von", as they were Danish) diary ruse, have you?

This post reminds me of how during the 1960s, old gentleman in Tanzania would travel to Dar-es-Salaam to collect their pension at the German embassy; the German military attache would have these old men go through the manual of arms to prove that they had served as askaris under Von Lettlow-Vorbeck in World War One.

T.