*CLOSEOUT NOTE: This item is on closeout, and will not be stocked again in this configuration. All sales on this product are final!*
NOTE: This product is a
Factory second/Defect and is considered
final sale. The hats are completely serviceable, but due to a miscommunication with the factory, these hats were made anachronistically in a Rhodesian style with a button up brim. They were intended to be a correct Bigeard style as wrong by members of 32 Battalion during the South African Border War. The hats are incorrectly labelled on the inside of the hat as a Bigeard cut, which we had intended to make. Please refer to our Shipping and Returns Policy for additional details.
The 32 Battalion Summer Pattern was one of two major camouflage variations employed by members of the legendary "Buffalo Soldiers" of the SADF's 32 Battalion. Formed in 1975 from the remnants of the defeated anti-communist National Liberation Front of Angola (abbreviated from Portuguese as "FNLA"), it was led and organized by Colonel Jan Breytenbach in the aftermath of Operation Savannah in 1975. The unit initially consisted of "Bravo Group", a rag tag group of two meagre infantry companies and a handful of support platoons. From this nucleus of companies came the development of seven full strength infantry companies, a recce wing, a full support company equip with heavy weapons. The unique regiment integrated the black African FNLA fighters with NCOs and officers from South Africa, Rhodesia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, the United States, Australia and beyond. Hundreds of years of military experience from the former Portuguese empire, Malaya, Vietnam, and Rhodesia mixed in with die-hard Angolan warriors. The result was the finest fighting formation in it's day in the entirety of the African continent.
Utilizing the camouflage lessons of the Portuguese Colonial Wars and Rhodesian Bush War, the regiment utilized two distinctive "lizard" style patterns with a lighter three-colour hue for the "winter" season (alternatively the "dry" season), and a more saturated three-colour hue for the "summer season" (alternatively the "wet season"). The pattern draws some clear inspiration from the khaki-backed color scheme of Rhodesian Brushstroke, with the uniquely naturalistic zig-zags of the Portuguese Lizard pattern. The result is the definitive camouflage for the African bush, and beyond. The pattern saw extensive use by 32 Battalion until their disbandment in 1993.
We have faithfully replicated this amazing pattern with an original South African 32 Battalion Summer garments in mint condition!
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