UNIFORM & KIT ISSUED TO THE AIF DURING WW2

AIF Uniform (Khaki Shirt & Shorts)

A complete AIF uniform (summer dress) depicting khaki shirt and shorts; as worn in many different theatres of operation. The early stages of the Second World War saw this configeration worn by men of both the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) and the AMF (Australian Military Forces) in jungle conditions. It can be easily seen how the light coloured khaki would be suitable for the Western Desert, but totally inappropriate against the dark green jungle foilage of Malaya or New Guinea. Of note is the woollen puttees (short leg wraps) which were a much better option over the Pattern 37 gaiters for keeping out foreign material. The slouch hat bears the colour patch of the 2/14th Infantry Battalion (AIF) of the 21st Infantry Brigade - 7th Division. This unit was the first AIF Battalion deployed onto the Kokoda Track. Evidence exists to suggest that some men of this unit were given green dye, to darken the colour of their uniforms from khaki to jungle green - prior to going into action. Raymond Paull's excellant book "Retreat From Kokoda" indicates on page 114 that one thousand complete suits (green dyed shirts, shorts & slacks) had been carried forward by native carriers from Owers Corner. These items were due to arrive at the Myola supply dump on the 25th of August, 1942. This is the day before the commencement of the battle for Isurava. From a different perspective, one need only replace this 2/14th slouch hat with a Brodie Pattern steel helmet; and the configeration could easily represent a soldier of the 8th Division AIF at Singapore; or the 9th Division at El Alamein and Tobruk. The soldier also carries a cotton bandolier which was capable of carrying 50 rounds of .303 ammunition in clips of five. This type of uniform continued to be issued for general service - well into the 1950's. Image courtesy of the Kokoda Historical Collection.