"New Zealanders behind the lines" Topic

Hi, I know that the slouch was worn in the first and second world war. Were these the lemon squezer style of the first or the more Austrailian style?

as usual hope that makes sense
jon

The Montana Peak was characteristic of so many units.

US Army in the early 20th C, RCMP, US Marine Instructors, but also NZ troops in both wars. Many a photo of them worn in Egypt in WWII, but only behind the lines, and usually in very posed photos. Whatever Strelets produce, British steel helmets, indeed British/Commonwealth uniforms throughout, were the rule.

Here is a history of the lemon squeezer in NZ service:

armymuseum.co.nz/the-lemon-squeezer

As far as I know prior to this NZ infantry wore the British army stiffened cap.

The New Zealand mounted brigade after Gallipoli in Sinai and Palestine wore a soft hat with a pugaree but didn't turn up the brim: "it was made in such a way and from such poor material, that the brim was probably flopping down over his ears" quoted p43 Devils on Horses by Terry Kinloch. The soft hat was worn in action.

Ciaphas, the lemon-squeezer bash the Kiwis adopted was introduced in 1915 by MAJGEN Alexander Godley, the commander of the NZ Expeditionary Force. He based it on the original lemon-squeezer, used by a South African unit in the Boer War.

He wanted everyone to be able to easily distinguish NZ troops from Australian troops. Both forces wore pugarees on their slumpies and could only be distinguished at close range by their badges and shoulder titles- not even then if the troops were in "shirt sleeve" order.

EDIT Chimpy's post is based on the NZ NAM, so Godley probably got his inspiration from the Taranaki Rifles.

Hi, I am looking primarily at the Italy campaign but thanks for the other information though.

cheers
jon

Hi Ciaphas

To me it looks like the NZ's in Italy mainly wore berets behind the lines. See:

warhistoryonline.com/guest-bloggers/courage-valour-new-zealanders-italian-campaign-wwii-m.html

tinyhordes.com/army-list-new-zealanders-in-italy

The above are from a google search: google.com/search?q=new+zealanders+italian+campaign&rlz=1C1CHZL_enNZ714NZ714&sxsrf=AOaemvJjAWG8Pu7m3uCc_Ayb_Da3ew12Gg:1639605298395&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJm4fb5eb0AhV30TgGHZADDo4Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=937&dpr=1#imgrc=wJCPQC0nnS_-2M

During the Italian campaign there was trend for New Zealand troops behind the lines to wear the most craziest headwear they could find – bowlers, top hats etc. I haven't got any sources available but have seen some photos of troops in the rear areas posing with all sorts of hats.

Could make for some interesting conversions.