Identify this strange headgear?

Steve Nick

Steve Nick

Well-known member
I've been busy over this winter finalizing my history of the 5th Battalion (Western Cavalry) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

A lot of time spent on Photoshopping period pictures. For my chapter on the Canadian Corps operations at Hill 70 in August 1917 I ran across this photo of German POW's being escorted by Canadian Cavalry to the rear lines.

My question is "What kind of headgear are the troops I've circled wearing?" There is the "to be expected" Feldmutzen and Stahlhelms but this strange headgear seems to be of the same configuration so I'm guessing it was issued?

Any thoughts?
 

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That was my first impression. But the picture was taken in Lens, France.

I'd think if it was some improvised head gear that it would all be different. There are several that look identical.
 
Hi Steve,

I also notice the extreme young age of those in the foreground of the picture. Some of them look like they are 15 or 16 years old. Yes, the soft head gear is very unusual, I haven't seen anything like this before. It looks different than Turkish head gear that I have seen before in photos. I'm not sure what it is.

Best Wishes,

Alan
 
Well, at least it looks like I was right to be puzzled by this picture. I've looked at a lot of period photos and haven't run across anything like this.
 
Stirnpanzer said:
Pretty sure that will be the Turkish Kabalak or Bashlyk.
Apparently often worn unter the helmets
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This is an interesting possibility. Using something to supplement the liner makes sense, along the lines of wearing a toque in the winter under your helmet. This picture would have been taken in mid-August 1917 so the motivation would have been increased comfort?
 
Khukri said:
Sandbags. You say Lens? Coalmining region.
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Yes the fighting at Hill 70 was centered around Lens which was a coal mining district. It was Sir Arthur Currie's first major test since his promotion to the command of The Canadian Corps.
 
I don't think it is Turkish Kabalak or Bashlyk. The Kabalak generally had a wicker frame, and the shape isn't quite the same as the Bashlyk, and it is doubtful any of these troops would have ever served alongside the Turks to acquire the headgear.

I would venture to say wool hats of some sort, possibly civilian that were sent to the troops to keep warm. Even in the summer it could be cold at night, especially in the bunkers.
 
Peter_Suciu said:
I don't think it is Turkish Kabalak or Bashlyk. The Kabalak generally had a wicker frame, and the shape isn't quite the same as the Bashlyk, and it is doubtful any of these troops would have ever served alongside the Turks to acquire the headgear.

I would venture to say wool hats of some sort, possibly civilian that were sent to the troops to keep warm. Even in the summer it could be cold at night, especially in the bunkers.
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Peter:

I think your idea of a commercially available head covering sent by "the folks back home" is plausible. It could be a hat that was offered by a regional retailer and was only used by a couple of regiments that hailed from that region?

I'll have to do some digging and identify the regiments that were present at Hill 70.
 
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