GERMAN WWII AFRIKA KORP PITH HELMET 2ND PATTERN

This is a reproduction 2nd Pattern German Afrika Korp pith helmet.  It has an adjustable sweat band used for increasing and decreasing sizes. It comes with two insignia, stamped alloy shields, with a national eagle to the left side and a national tri-color shield to the right side. 

As German troops withdrew from Afrika, many pith helmets sat unissued in warehouses, where they were recovered by Allied forces at the end of the war; at one time, later pattern examples were relatively common. 
 
In late 1940, AS THE Germans prepared to enter the North Afrikan campaign, tropical uniforms, headgear, equipment etc.  were quickly developed.  All was ready for the newly developed DAK (Deutsches Afrika Korps) to arrive in Tripoli in February, 1941.  One of the new headgear items introduced was the tropical pith helmet which was based on the design of the earlier Kriegsmarine pith helmet.  Issued to the German Army, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, and Waffen-SS. 

On its introduction the pith helmet was constructed of a formed cork base with a cotton twill covering until a second pattern pith helmet was introduced with a formed cork base with a felt covering.  Second pattern pith helmet constructed in a one piece, seamless, formed, olive-drab felt.  

The Pith helmet was Issued to the German Army, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, and Waffen-SS.   It was worn in all  areas on the Southern Front where tropical uniforms were issued, including Italy and the Mediterranean, and southern Russia.

The visible difference among the pith helmets used by these various armies, were the metal badges affixed to each side. These were made in the style of the branch decals used on the steel helmet. 

For more information on the Pith shields click here:  PITH SHIELDS