Probably used from mid-1950s. Definitely used by British and Commonwealth troops in Malaysia and Singapore from early 1960s into the early 1970s. Then for the British at least they were superseded by the very much less expendable US-made leather and nylon jungle boots with an anti-panji mesh between outer and inner soles. As stated above and from personal experience the Bata made boots lasted about two weeks in jungle conditions. As an issue they were accompnied by rubber and canvas short boots, even flimsier and brown in colour - known to the Royals as PAs (or Pierre Alain's - a famous French free climber or so the 3 Cdo Bde folklore had it). On the same theme and within the Royals the leather ankle boots with "commando" rubber soles were known as SVs (Souliers Vibram). End of boot lecture. Any questions?
Last edited by Mike Jackson; 28-04-12 at 09:24 PM.
Reason: Typo
|