History

During the Second World War, German troops stationed in northern Africa are generally referred to as the Afrikakorps. Technically, this is not entirely correct, since some German units operating in Africa were not actually part of the DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps), and some units of it were, in fact, Italian ones. However, for the purpose of collecting so-called “tropical” uniforms and insignia, collectors have simplified the meaning of the term.

The first German troops were sent to northern Africa in February of 1941, to support their Italian allies against the British. The climate of the African continent made it necessary to wear specialised uniforms and gear that not only supported the soldiers in serving in a hot and arid environment, but also helped them in blending in with the landscape, which, in general, presented itself as brown, olive, khaki, or sand/tan in colour. Worn over long periods of time under the blistering desert sun, some uniforms were eventually bleached to white or off-white. Uniforms and insignia in these colours are often referred to as “tropical”, and it is worth noting that they weren’t just worn by members of units stationed in Africa, but in the entire Mediterranean theatre of war, including southern France, Italy, the Balkans, and Greece, as well as in southern Russia during the summer months. Tropical uniforms were worn by members of all three branches of the Wehrmacht: the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy), and the Luftwaffe (air force). Members of the Waffen-SS stationed in southerly regions also wore tropical-style uniforms, and even though they technically have no connection to the DAK, all tropical uniforms and insignia of all branches of the German military are listed here.

The pith helmet was not meant to serve as protection against projectiles, but to shield the wearer from the heat and the sun.

The Luftwaffe pith helmets were manufactured with varying cloth covers, including tan/khaki, olive green, and blue. The tan/khaki cloth colour was the most prevalent covering, and the blue cloth colour was the rarest covering. The helmet rims are covered in a thin strip of leather, and the interior of these pith helmets is lined in red-coloured cloth.

The insignia featured on these helmets include a decal of the national tricolour shield and a decal of a left facing Luftwaffe pattern national emblem eagle. The shield is located on the right side of the helmet, and the eagle is located on the left side of the helmet.

This pith helmet is also known as a Tropical Sun Helmet.