BACKGROUND: In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms, headgear and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. One of the new headgear items introduced was the tropical pith helmet which was based on the design of the earlier Kriegsmarine pith helmet. On its introduction the pith helmet was constructed of a formed cork base with a cotton twill covering until a second pattern pith helmet was introduced with a formed cork base with a felt covering. The second pattern pith helmet followed the same basic design as the first pattern but was modified to ease production time and material costs. Wear of the pith helmets was extended to personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe but the helmets proved ineffective and unpopular and manufacture was discontinued sometime in 1942. On introduction the helmets were outfitted with a national eagle and national tri-color identification shields.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die stamped, aluminum construction national tri-colored shield features a slightly pebbled background shield shape base with a raised lip to the outer edges and an additional three, diagonally angled, fine, raised lips separating the three national colors of black, silver, (white), and red. The reverse of the shield has all three attachment prongs intact.