Hi all.
Ive just bought a nice KD Bush Trousers and Jacket with some Captain Epaulettes.
I already have a very nice 1945 Slouch hat and the colour match with the uniform is fine.
I already have some webbing kit, however I need to match it all up with the uniform in the correct manner.
I suppose I need to know what to use or take away, or add.
Here's what I have.
Webbing (KD colour).
P37 Webbing.
P37 Ammo pouches x 2.
P37 Bino pouch & Bino.
P37 Webley pistol pouch.
P39 Water Bottle and carrier.
British Issue leather Machete shealth and machete.
Im trying to reenact a early Captain in Burma, far east. I suppose I want a field look/Battle dress.
I was thinking of losing the pouches, webbing belt with Bino pouch and webley pouch. Then machete to the left side and shoulder strap for water bottle/carrier?
I already have my putties and boots.
PS Im keeping it all KD.
I hope someone can help.
Regards Bob.
The general rule for officers in the jungle, is pretty much, wear whatever you want. Photo's of officers posing for the camera tend to never have 2 dressed the same. It should however be noted that photo's of men in the field, never have a visible officer. Jungle warfare means ambushes and ambushes mean the 1st thing you know about the fight starting is when the guy who looks most like an officer gets shot. Officers very quickly started carrying rifles and wearing full webbing.
I would suggest a belt with the holster and a pistol ammo pouch for safe areas and full webbing without the pistol for a combat zone.
The general rule for officers in the jungle, is pretty much, wear whatever you want. Photo's of officers posing for the camera tend to never have 2 dressed the same. It should however be noted that photo's of men in the field, never have a visible officer. Jungle warfare means ambushes and ambushes mean the 1st thing you know about the fight starting is when the guy who looks most like an officer gets shot. Officers very quickly started carrying rifles and wearing full webbing.
I would suggest a belt with the holster and a pistol ammo pouch for safe areas and full webbing without the pistol for a combat zone.
Thanks so much for the reply.
That has been so helpful. Ive been looking at photo and you are right. No two NCO dressed the same!
Officer in the far east:
Pick a hat: Slouch hat, Pith helmet, SD cap....
Pick a shirt: 2 pocket, 4 pocket, belted Bush jacket....
Pick some trousers: Shorts or long trousers
Equipment: Full webbing, sam brown, webbing belt and holster...
Boots: Black or brown ammo boots, shoes, or just about anything your cobbler can make you.
If another officer is wearing the same, whoever is lowest rank has to go home and change 
Officer in the far east:
Pick a hat: Slouch hat, Pith helmet, SD cap....
Pick a shirt: 2 pocket, 4 pocket, belted Bush jacket....
Pick some trousers: Shorts or long trousers
Equipment: Full webbing, sam brown, webbing belt and holster...
Boots: Black or brown ammo boots, shoes, or just about anything your cobbler can make you.
If another officer is wearing the same, whoever is lowest rank has to go home and change
Ive tried this and it looks OK for a first timer.
Webbing belt with Bino case, webley pouch and machette.
Water bottle over the shoulder with a shoulder webbing strap.
btw, where did you get the machete sheath?
I have an Aussie jungle impression that is missing one.
btw, where did you get the machete sheath?
I have an Aussie jungle impression that is missing one.
I got it from World War Wonders.
SOF have one in too with the machette for £70 at the moment.
Not sure I want it enough to pay £70. Especially as I would then need a rubber version of the machete as well.
Is a slouch hat suitable for an early impression with KD uniform?
I thought the British were late adopters of the slouch?
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Is a slouch hat suitable for an early impression with KD uniform?
I thought the British were late adopters of the slouch?
The slouch was used in 1942, when the KD was also in use.
KD was then dyed JG, however lots of troops were still wearing KD in middle 1945.
You'll find that the Burma British kit was the most changeable uniform in WW2.
It always seemed behind regarding suitability.
KD and helmets, then KD and Slouch hat, then JG, then looking more like modern jungle uniform of today.
The kit never caught up with everyone and what kit you got was pot luck.
Also lots of American gear used.
Not sure I want it enough to pay £70. Especially as I would then need a rubber version of the machete as well.
No need!
Cut off to the handle as I did. Then something in the sheath to create rigidity.
I Think tbh that it would just make my webbing rather full anyway. Full webbing with MK3 pouches, P1907 Bayonet, 2 belt mounted water bottles (it's an Aussie custom job, sewing a strip of wide webbing and C clips to the skeleton carrier). If anyone asks, the machete is in my pack 
I Think tbh that it would just make my webbing rather full anyway. Full webbing with MK3 pouches, P1907 Bayonet, 2 belt mounted water bottles (it's an Aussie custom job, sewing a strip of wide webbing and C clips to the skeleton carrier). If anyone asks, the machete is in my pack
Its surprisingly light.
You can pick up a sheath for under a tenner. You'd be nuts to buy a wartime dated machete then cut off the blade, especially since the original manufacturer is still making them to the same design.
You can pick up a sheath for under a tenner. You'd be nuts to buy a wartime dated machete then cut off the blade, especially since the original manufacturer is still making them to the same design.
No i didnt say it was a wartime dated machete. The sheath is ww2 but I used a cheap wood handled machete.
