Thanks, Todd. The M-27 helmet is most odd – not just because it it follows the German 1916 pattern, but because of the poor quality of manufacture.
Had it been made properly, it would no doubt have been more effective than the British “soup-plate” helmet.
The soup-plate was still in use in South Africa in the early 1960s, and a few old-timers in my regiment still had them. But mostly we had the unsightly variety. Fortunately when we were operational, we had to wear bush hats instead (still unsightly, but at least comfortable).
Much as I dislike the German army helmet style because of its use by the enemy in two world wars (and present-day use by some bikers), both the 1916 pattern and the later version were far more efficient designs than the old soup-plate
What surprises me about the band uniforms is not just that they follow the British Army Irish pipe band pattern, but that the members of one band wear glengarrys – most un-Irish headgear. I would have thought caubeens would be worn by the entire army (when not in steel helmets).
It also surprises me that nobody seems to have questioned the use of tan-coloured kilts under the colour-name saffron.
I am aware that these have been in use since they were adopted by the Irish Guards more than a century ago, but to be authentic, surely they should be a brighter yellow?
Regards,
Mike