Many armies marched into China while wearing sun helmets. This included the European powers that fought in the Boxer Rebellion, the American soldiers that protected U.S. interests in the early 20th century, and notably the Japanese that invaded in 1937.

However, the sun helmet was also used by Nationalist forces during the prolonged war with Japan.

Philip Jowett noted in his book The Chinese Army: 1937-49 – World War II and Civil War (Osprey Publishing, 2005, page 24): “Some Nationalist soldiers wore a distinctive cork pith helmet of the polo style.”

This pattern of helmet seems to have been a popular headdress for some Chinese soldiers as there was a shortage of steel helmets (Collection of the Author)

Where this helmet was produced isn’t clear but it was likely intended for the export market as it is noted in Chinese “Tropical Helmets – Made in China.” This may suggest it was made in Shanghai as many British helmets made in Hong Kong do state “Hong Kong” rather than “China.” (Collection of the Author)

Jowett suggested that these helmets may have been varnished. While the above period photo does not support this theory – it could be that helmets were heavily covered in blanco or another material by the soldiers in the field. It was common for French and English soldiers to use blanco to “whiten” the helmet, and perhaps this is what was meant by “varnished.”

He does describe helmets that were smaller than the standard pith helmets of the European colonial armies – and by this author believes he is referencing a Wolseley pattern helmet. Jowett, nor any other writer, offers a source for the sun helmets.

Another example of a Chinese helmet – this one is heavy covered in white blanco – possibly for use with a parade uniform. The blanco could be what was meant by “varnished.” (Collection of the Author)

The label also clearly indicates this helmet was “Made in China” but differs from the other design – suggesting multiple firms were producing similar helmets. (Collection of the Author)

It is likely that these were private purchase items and could have been supplied by British hatters in Hong Kong, Shanghai and perhaps even Singapore among other locations. The photographic evidence (of which there is little) does suggest that these were issued with the Nationalist cap badge stars. These helmets were apparently used during training and perhaps by officers with the goal being to improve the appearance of elite units. Various patterns of civil helmets were likely pressed into service.

After the entry of the British into the war with Japan in late 1941 British sun helmets were also issued to the X-Force for training and use in the jungles. Jowett described those as “India pattern,” by which this writer must take that to mean Bombay Bowler pattern helmets.

Photographic evidence also suggests that while not widely used, basket weaved helmets of local origin in the tropical regions of China and Burma were also used by Nationalist forces. Due to the fact that Nationalist forces were driven from the Chinese mainland in 1949 very few of these sun helmets or straw sun hats have likely survived.

Peter Suciu