Boots for NCO

British NCO in Burma would be black Ammo boots.
Infantry would wear JG's not KD's while in Burma. KD's would be worn in India when out of the operational area.

British NCO in Burma would be black Ammo boots.
Infantry would wear JG's not KD's while in Burma. KD's would be worn in India when out of the operational area.

Thanks for the reply. Thats what I thought, though the brown would look better with the KD.
KD's were widely worn even in battle up to 1942. However they were still worn still up to the end of the war.
So KD's are relevant. There were always shortages in Burma as the forces were the bottom of the list, only getting proper supplies at the end of the war in Europe. Some troops were kitted with American kit, so it was a bit of a mishmosh.
Thank God for reenactors eh?

I agree KD worn by all troops during the initial Burma campaign. You mention you have a Slouch hat, these are not worn by British units until the operations from India from late 1942 onwards. British Units prior to that would wear MKII helmet, Cawnpore or Wollesley helmets in action and usual regimental headgear out of action, FS caps or berets or other.
In the later parts of the campaign ( end of the Monsoon 1942 onwards) real efforts were made to equip infantry units with JG clothing. Non Infantry, Line of Communication, Service troops and some Indian and Native State units are more likely to remain with KD dress even when deployed into operational areas in Burma.
For behind the lines or on leave KD is more likely to be worn. The JG clothing was supposed to be handed in on leaving Burma. In cases where troops had been in Scrub Typhus infected areas the clothing would be burnt.

Brown boots would probably look better with KD but that is not what the Army opted for.

I agree KD worn by all troops during the initial Burma campaign. You mention you have a Slouch hat, these are not worn by British units until the operations from India from late 1942 onwards. British Units prior to that would wear MKII helmet, Cawnpore or Wollesley helmets in action and usual regimental headgear out of action, FS caps or berets or other.
In the later parts of the campaign ( end of the Monsoon 1942 onwards) real efforts were made to equip infantry units with JG clothing. Non Infantry, Line of Communication, Service troops and some Indian and Native State units are more likely to remain with KD dress even when deployed into operational areas in Burma.
For behind the lines or on leave KD is more likely to be worn. The JG clothing was supposed to be handed in on leaving Burma. In cases where troops had been in Scrub Typhus infected areas the clothing would be burnt.

Brown boots would probably look better with KD but that is not what the Army opted for.

Thanks for the great info!
Your right about the slouch hat, however im not trying to be totally 100% pure and the slouch hat is the icon of the burma war, so it stays. Ive done a great deal of reading about this War as my dad was there. The more I find out about this, the most of the classic information are myths. As I stated, this was to poor man's army and they were vastly under equipped.
Most of the army used "pass me downs", American gear and some used gear from the Japanese dead.

I wonder if you have any opinion on what I should be aiming for with my available kit, until more funds are available.
I was looking to create early Bruma.

My outfit.
Slouch hat (1945)
Webbing (repro).
Putties (1943).
Machette and shealth (original 1943)
Kukri (repro)
Binoc's and Web case (1940's).
Glasses (1940's).
KD Bush Jacket and trouser (SOF)
P37 Webley Case (Repro)

Im aiming to eventually create a behind lines SOE Force 136!

Regards Bob.

PS this has turned into another question!

Thanks for the great info!
Your right about the slouch hat, however im not trying to be totally 100% pure and the slouch hat is the icon of the burma war, so it stays. Ive done a great deal of reading about this War as my dad was there. The more I find out about this, the most of the classic information are myths. As I stated, this was to poor man's army and they were vastly under equipped.
Most of the army used "pass me downs", American gear and some used gear from the Japanese dead.

I wonder if you have any opinion on what I should be aiming for with my available kit, until more funds are available.
I was looking to create early Bruma.

My outfit.
Slouch hat (1945)
Webbing (repro).
Putties (1943).
Machette and shealth (original 1943)
Kukri (repro)
Binoc's and Web case (1940's).
Glasses (1940's).
KD Bush Jacket and trouser (SOF)
P37 Webley Case (Repro)

Im aiming to eventually create a behind lines SOE Force 136!

Regards Bob.

PS this has turned into another question!

Kit list is OK for Burma but is not specifically early war Burma. Specifically early war items are the ones not much seen later on like the Bombay Bloomer convertible shorts/trousers. It is hard to generalise after that. You need to decide on a Unit and period of time. Then we can concentrate on specific evidence for them. It was a poorly supplied campaign but that does not mean the same for all participants.
Binoculars would be officer or SNCO/WO items. The Pistol and case was more commonly used in Burma with not just officers carrying them. In some units Bren Gunners would carry a pistol on there webbing as the gun was carried by mule. The Matchet or Indian made Dah were issue items for the British. Aquiring a locally made Dah or Kuhkri was a common practice. They would usually be carried instead of not as well as. They are heavy items and all do the same job.

SOE Force 136 is potentially the hardest of Far East impressions as wearing of some or all local clothing was common. Understanding how to wear a longyi and have one in an authentic 1940's style and material will be an opportunity for you to research.

It is about Malaya rather than Burma, but have you read "The Jungle is Neutral" by F Spencer Chapman yet? He spends two years behind the lines and is out of uniform for almost all of it.

Thanks for the great info!
Your right about the slouch hat, however im not trying to be totally 100% pure and the slouch hat is the icon of the burma war, so it stays. Ive done a great deal of reading about this War as my dad was there. The more I find out about this, the most of the classic information are myths. As I stated, this was to poor man's army and they were vastly under equipped.
Most of the army used "pass me downs", American gear and some used gear from the Japanese dead.

I wonder if you have any opinion on what I should be aiming for with my available kit, until more funds are available.
I was looking to create early Bruma.

My outfit.
Slouch hat (1945)
Webbing (repro).
Putties (1943).
Machette and shealth (original 1943)
Kukri (repro)
Binoc's and Web case (1940's).
Glasses (1940's).
KD Bush Jacket and trouser (SOF)
P37 Webley Case (Repro)

Im aiming to eventually create a behind lines SOE Force 136!

Regards Bob.

PS this has turned into another question!

Kit list is OK for Burma but is not specifically early war Burma. Specifically early war items are the ones not much seen later on like the Bombay Bloomer convertible shorts/trousers. It is hard to generalise after that. You need to decide on a Unit and period of time. Then we can concentrate on specific evidence for them. It was a poorly supplied campaign but that does not mean the same for all participants.
Binoculars would be officer or SNCO/WO items. The Pistol and case was more commonly used in Burma with not just officers carrying them. In some units Bren Gunners would carry a pistol on there webbing as the gun was carried by mule. The Matchet or Indian made Dah were issue items for the British. Aquiring a locally made Dah or Kuhkri was a common practice. They would usually be carried instead of not as well as. They are heavy items and all do the same job.

SOE Force 136 is potentially the hardest of Far East impressions as wearing of some or all local clothing was common. Understanding how to wear a longyi and have one in an authentic 1940's style and material will be an opportunity for you to research.

It is about Malaya rather than Burma, but have you read "The Jungle is Neutral" by F Spencer Chapman yet? He spends two years behind the lines and is out of uniform for almost all of it.

Thnaks for all the help.
Your a mine of information!

My SOE Force 136 is a pending project.
Ive now learn not to invest in anything unless its for the right reasons.
Im sure we've all done it.

I went for a nice pair of original DMS boots in the end.
I tried a pair of ammo boots on a few weeks ago. I know they are authentic, however I dont think I could live with the segs.

If you just like the hat, then an Aussie impression is the other option.
You get to wear tan boots
Aussie gear varies from the gear used by the British as they were fighting with Americans so there is a lot of American influence on the gear. Aussie boots are tan with no toe cap, P37 anklets were used until around 1943 and then replaced with American Lace up leggings. There are Australian tropical trousers in KD or JG but easier to get are American HBT trousers which were widely pilfered by any Aussie who could get them.
So a cheap and easy Aussie late war impression is US HBT trousers, M38 lace up leggings, tan work boots, Green shirt, P38 webbing and a slouch hat. I tried this out over the summer and was the only one at the airsoft site who was not complaining about the heat

If you just like the hat, then an Aussie impression is the other option.
You get to wear tan boots
Aussie gear varies from the gear used by the British as they were fighting with Americans so there is a lot of American influence on the gear. Aussie boots are tan with no toe cap, P37 anklets were used until around 1943 and then replaced with American Lace up leggings. There are Australian tropical trousers in KD or JG but easier to get are American HBT trousers which were widely pilfered by any Aussie who could get them.
So a cheap and easy Aussie late war impression is US HBT trousers, M38 lace up leggings, tan work boots, Green shirt, P38 webbing and a slouch hat. I tried this out over the summer and was the only one at the airsoft site who was not complaining about the heat

Thanks for the reply.
Thats a good uniform look and works very well mate.
Love the rifle.

My boots came this morning!
Very impressed by the quality of the leather. Boots laces are a bit cheap looking.
What type of laces are authentic anyone?

For WWII Black leather laces. Keep them will dubbined. Even then they will break quite often.

DMS boots would use normal "football" boot laces was they are post war.

For WWII Black leather laces. Keep them will dubbined. Even then they will break quite often.

DMS boots would use normal "football" boot laces was they are post war.

Thanks thats great.
there's not much between them regarding ammo/DMS, though im sure someone will notice and comment.
Enough said.

I put my leather laces into a jar of neatsfoot oil for two days. So far they have never broken.

They do get topped up with dubbin from time to time.

Cheers
Martin

I put my leather laces into a jar of neatsfoot oil for two days. So far they have never broken.

Ditto, except I leave mine in just overnight,