did the Filipino army ever use British helmets?

[legionnaire]

As far as I know all the steel M 1917 helmets came from the US government for the Philippine scouts who are part of the US Army. as in all their uniforms and gear were us made.

The Commonwealth Army of the Philippines used the "Guinit" pith helmet (local indiginous made). And any steel helmet used by the certain Philippine Army Officers were probably the US Army issue.

The only british equipment as I know were the few Bren carriers, maybe some british Mg's and the Q boats of the OSP.

Philip

[rickthelibrarian]

I read where a number of British WWI-era 18-pounder cannon were used as divisional artillery by Philippine National Army units. These were probably given to the Americans during WWI and like so much old and obsolete equipment, found its way to the Philippines.

[oklahoma]

i read somewhere that a shipment of bren gun carriers was on ship headed for hong kong that was stopping over in manila when the war broke out. since chances of it getting thru to the brits in china were slim and none, the vehicles were taken over for american-filipino use. dont know what units actually acquired them, whether regular us army/scouts or philippine army.

[VeeVee]

If I remember correctly, the book Corregidor: Alamo of the Pacific, it told the story on how the transaction for turning over the Bren carriers came about.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/0815410859/qid=1151420177/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-0310418-9270351?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

In the book Surviving Bataan and Beyond, Col. Alexander - a senior adviser in the Philippine Army described being picked up by a Bren gun carrier on casualty evac duty.

[insurrectomad]

Not the right venue I know, but had to tell of my trip to Portobello Rd Market in London to-day. I saw 3 Tommy helmets for sale at £30 ($45) each and a pair of US Cav. boots with toe caps (price?) 2 pairs of 1900 long binocs ( like Aguinaldo's) at £150 & £65. and a nice light brown pistol holster £20. Alas i had no money with me but shall return next Sat. very early to trade in some items I have including a 1975 gas mask and bag. They fetch £25 each for the mask along! I did manage to afford 2 silver stars for my Fil. Revolutionary, Capt.'s epulettes £ 3.50 each. As it's my birthday next Friday, I will buy the Boar War patten helmet (£25). Paint white it will top of my parade dress Insurrection White uniform. I will be back in Angeles Pampanga by 20th Oct. Our house is not finished yet due to the flooding and terrible storms all around. We have relatives in Montalban and have been unable to contact them yet. David