"DAK cork helmet , how long in service ?" Topic

I'm referring to the cork hat/helmet that looks like a safari style helmet. I know it was used early by the DAK in the Western Desert but at what point in WW2 did it stop being issued ? Was there a point where it was totally superseded by the steel helmet or was it continually worn up to the last days of the DAK in Nth Africa ?
Any assistance is appreciated , thankyou
cheers Tom

My understanding was the tropical helmet was part of their kit in addition to their helmet, much like Australians with our slouch hat, or Kiwis with their lemon squeezer. Google can tell you the dates. A lot of literature I've read tell the story that the troops were quite taken by the tropical kit they were issued prior to deployment.

Thanks , I'm familiar with our slouch hat , but what is the "lemon squeezer " ? a google search shows only ,,,, lemon squeezers . cheers tom

edit : oh I found it , thanks mate

took a look at some books close to hand, can't find mention of when the tropical helmet stopped being issued. Chances are it was on paper as being a standard part of tropical kit for the duration, but probably only issued once when they initially deployed.

Most pictures have them being worn early on in 1941. By late 1941, 1942 I think they were long gone.

The pith helmet was issued in addition to a steel helmet and cloth cap.
They were loathed. They were considered to look stupid.

Shrapnel wounds were supposedly much more likely to get infected if bits of cork were introduced into the wounds.
As a result most units quickly banned them from front line use.
Most of the production never made it out of Germany.
The cap was more comfortable and easier to carry.
The steel helmet offered significant protection in combat but was of course kind of heavy and hot.
People wanted a steel helmet and a cap.

This is a perfect example where you can read the official rules on issue of equipment and think "ahah… everyone got one." but in practice almost nobody had one after a couple of months.

Got to admit, from what little photos I've seen you don't see many re-enactors wearing them.

The pith helmet, along with sand tyres, went out of use early. The Germans had little idea of N. African terrain and climate until after they arrived.

On looking stupid, Churchill too, looked like a in his.

British units were issued pith helmets too (along with their steel helmets and side caps).

My grandfathers regiment was diverted from the Middle East after Pearl Harbour and arrived in Java in their ME gear, the last photo I could find of them had them in KD shorts and pith helmets.

They weren't intended to be worn in battle but to keep the sun off!

As I understand the DAK pith helmets were captured Netherlands stock. Much of their uniform was designed or suggested by veterans of WWI in Africa, so does have some antique bits, like those knee high lace-up boots!