What did Commonwealth troops wear in the desert? Was it green KDs, or did they actually have sand-coloured uniforms?
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Er... the usual Serge BD or nice sand coloured KDs. Or a mix...
You've seen the pics of me in my shorts haven't you?
Yes. Please don't post it again! 
Just thinking ahead - we'll have a number of players with DAK kit in June - I was just wondering what the Brits would need if we did another north African event. 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Aha... Well certain PBI members are already collecting appropriate Brit desert kit... You'll see a few more knees yet.
The most iconic desert gear is the KD shorts, but it isn't the only stuff worn.
Standard serge BD was also used a lot. Especially mixed with KD shorts, shirt or bush jacket. Long KD trousers tended to be used more in the evening, but I guess are an option.
Of course webbing should really be unblancoed or scrubbed... Just to make everyone groan after carefully getting their stuff blancoed for NWE.
Having just finished reading a reference book on the Desert War I can agree with Yith. The pictures show the winter battles with many of the troops in Serge BD. In summer all variations on KD are seen.
For Commonwealth troops there are pictures of Indian troops in Serge BD and KD.
The Australian troops first fight in the Serge Service Dress and P08 webbing looking similar to WWI troops. They soon get issues of P37 webbing and then later Serge BD and finally KD.
There is a good picture of marching troops with half wearing shorts and half long trousers in KD.
All of the above applies to the Western Desert force, which becomes the 8th Army. The 1st Army troops who land in Algeria on operation Torch look to all start off in Serge BD and some still with dark (blancoed?) webbing and then move into wearing KD in Spring 1943. Winter 1942 was one of the wettest and coldest that North Africa has experienced so Serge and Greatcoats are widely seen.
Wow, so there isn't hardly any extra kit required above what is needed for line infantry? 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
In 'Rommel Gunner Who? Spike is always referring to KDs
I'm a hero with coward's legs.
I have some KDs on the way, no shorts though... On a related note, Deans DAK short shorts arrived, but he wont let me photograph them till he gets the right hat 
.
It gets cold at night in the desert, surprisingly so. Woolen jumpers, bd, greatcoats all got used.
KD [no 's'] shorts came in a staggering number of styles in a very short time frame. The airtex shirt was almost universal though. Insignia often as slip ons or fixed with press studs.
I bought 'KD and Jungle Green' as I thought it might help with putting together a generic desert look. I came away thinking it is very hard to get it wrong unless you want to be very specific on the date and place. Apart from WPG KD battle dress, not correct for the western desert when the fighting was going on, almost any KD will fit in.
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. "
Agreed with all.
Having been in the North African desert I can tell you it getting very cold at night, I took loads of jumpers and warm stuff and I needed it.
KD shorts can be a variety of lenghts as some were simply made by cutting up bombay bloomers or trousers.
I have a 42 dated pair that are like football short (modern) in length.
Allegedly DAK and intalian kit got used too due to the fluidity of the desert war... supply depots and rear echelons were frequently over run.
I have pics of DAK lads wearing brit KD rebadged somewhere...
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
short vid of KD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSTHMxBttlU
this is what brits wore in the desert, dont let anyone tell you different. 
Wow, so there isn't hardly any extra kit required above what is needed for line infantry?
The major changes to the usual post overlord kit would be.
Sand painted helmet
Box respirator instead of the light weight type
raw webbing and anklets
FS caps rather than the GS or beret (certain arms and corps excepted)
And the afore mentioned smattering of KD, its not a massive jump from line inf, the main thing will be not having green helmets or webbing.
The other issue is a near complete lack of early war brit airsoft guns as there are no mass produced SMLEs, 1928 thompsons or brens... so as with many games we'd have to take liberties with regards to shooters.
Italy is a better bet than western desert as the kit is even more mixed up and random and you're looking at slightly later for guns.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
OK, I am going to ask this even though my better judgement says 'shhh' -
How farby are the 'Brothel Creeper' private purchase shoes?
Chukka boots were very popular with officers.
I think ORs wore them when they could get away with it as they are easier to look after in the desert than polished leather.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
did someone mention knees?
did someone mention KD ?
its a lovely day in sheffield
* please excuse the very late war/post war E tool helve, i couldnt find my other one.*
Good stuff, Nige! 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
fantastic simon, now............. dig around and see if you can come up with a plausible reason for me wearing a H Samuels lorus sports watch..
