Evening,
I've been doing my usual digging around i've i've found a few interesting bits, including references to Japanese and Australian (uniform) camouflaging in the far east. Sadly, I haven't turned up anything more substantial than these references:
http://www.ozatwar.com/chemicalwarfare/42nclc.htm
I know the U.S marines were wearing "Duck Hunter" camo, but I was wondering if anyone had any details on the Japanese camo pictured, or too any Australian attempts? Also, was there any use of camouflage by any of the other forces in the area, i.e were denison smocks etc used at anypoint, or where they too heavy for the theatre?
Cheers,
-Matt
On the brit side the nearest you get to camo is webbing, hats and equipment* being given splodges of green paint very occasionally.
The KD uniform in service at the start of the war was re-dyed green to allow it to blend in more but thats about it.
I cant see a denison being particularly suitbale for the far east but the Indian parachute brigade might have had then, just a guess I've no idea if the pics i've seen of indians in denisons are post war or not... given that when the paras went to the far east in 45 they were in JG its unlikely any denisons were used, windproofs woudl be too sweaty too.
* even mules were painted green.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
It's a possible myth about painting the mules... mentioned a lot on the net (etc), but no definite evidence that I've seen and I've read quite a few first hand accounts of the Chindit expeditions. They certainly did cut their vocal chords to stop them braying though... apparently they grew back!
Also another camo thing for the far east... certainly true for the ghurkas at least... Helmet nets used on their hats. Considering the large size of the hats this seems rather difficult to do... but there are many photos of it.
I dont think its a myth to be honest.
Considering i've seen German draft horses *covered* in local cam it seems less hassle.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Well I've not found any period evidence to say it was done whereas there's plenty about the camoed hats and silenced mules, but yes it's certainly possible.
It'd be brilliant if it was true - the mental picture is hilarious.
Do you have any pics of the improvised camo?
Also, am I right in assumin HBT is short for herring bone twill, the camo oversuits the marines used?
I discovered today that the Austen was often camouflaged, and that there was a silenced version of the Owen. The silenced owen is quite different - the receiver is a different shape, ther'es no front grip and the stock is different.
-Matt
HBT = Herringbone Twill
Ghurka with net on his hat.
Camo Hat. Not too many photos of this. In fact I couldn't find one. But I did find a movie clip.
Go here: http://www.chindits.info/FilmClips/Index.html
Play the first movie. In the last shot the guy following Wingate (who is the one with the pith helmet and beard) clearly has a camouflaged slouch hat.
Cheers for that - thats why I love the interweb 
You should find this website interesting:
http://specialoperationsaustralia.com/s ... iew&id=145
-Matt
Awesome pics, thankyou very much
Has anyone else come across the Japanese para camo? Despite searching, i've never found it anywhere apart from that particular Osprey book. I'd be inclined to say it was home made if it wasn't for the fact there were two different people pictured wearing the same pattern.
Yith, have you ever come examples across shirts and/or trousers being camouflaged by troops (camo cream/paint/mud/oil etc applied to shirts in a rough disruptive pattern)?
Interesting pattern on that hat too.
cheers,
-matt
No sorry I haven't
Can't read the link sadly - I don't have a log in.
It certainly sounds more plausible the idea of it being hand painted - osprey have often been wrong in the past, and I havn't turned up any other references elsewhere. The Japanese were certainly well clued up on individual camouflage - but it seems doubtful they printed any. One interesting thing though is that the Japanese para uniforms were based off of FG ones - i've just never found out in what way.
-Matt
Thankyou 
Read the para pamphlet, very interesting, and i'm reading the grenade and mortar one now.
I'll have a look at the other bits in the morning I think.
cheers,
-Matt
There is no Japanese Para camo. If i remember correctly the uniforms of the Giretsu assault units where often hand painted.
Left: navy paratrooper, right: army
