Blackout light (headlamp) covers were compulsory for civilian night driving during WW II. This example appears to closely follow the pattern suggested by the Department of Home Security for civilian motor vehicles, and appears to be for older, pre-war type vehicles, where the headlights were not integral to the front of the vehicle (Ref. Australian War Memorial) A.G. Cookson was the maker.Bogong village SECV employees manned an Observation Hut during WW 2. The SECV vehicles and their employees would have used vehicle blackout light covers on their cars when driving at night.Stitched brown leather disc cover with metal light shield over a central slit. Below this is a 25 mm white semi-translucent light diffuser. Includes leather attachment and leather straps at rear.A.G. Cookson embossed above the shield above the slit.ww 2, vehicle blackout light cover, bogong observation hut

used to cover headlights to reduce light beam and avoid detectionround metal covers with shield and slot for light beam with glass diffuser.

By 1941, the threat of Japanese invasion caused restrictions to daily life. Blackouts became the norm. To prevent identification from enemy planes all lights had to be turned down, including car headlights that had to be covered to minimize light exposure. In Australia more relaxed regulations led to the Australian air raid precautions being dubbed the “brownout”. These shields limited the amount of light emitted by a vehicle. To drive at night without them was an offence; however, the increase in road accidents led to the removal of headlight masks everywhere in Australia south of Rockhampton from 15 February 1943. These shields, though not rare, evoke a period of restrictions, fear, rationing and confinement.A circular metal disc painted black - car light blackout shield. It has a small glass slot in front and a scooped out front to cover the light.ww11 blackout-shield

By 1941, the threat of Japanese invasion caused restrictions to daily life. Blackouts became the norm. To prevent identification from enemy planes all lights had to be turned down, including car headlights that had to be covered to minimize light exposure. In Australia more relaxed regulations led to the Australian air raid precautions being dubbed the “brownout”. These shields limited the amount of light emitted by a vehicle. To drive at night without them was an offence; however, the increase in road accidents led to the removal of headlight masks everywhere in Australia south of Rockhampton from 15 February 1943.These shields, though not rare, evoke a period of restrictions, fear, rationing and confinement.Pair of handmade car light blackout shields. Black round metal with scoop at front as well as small glass partition.shields-blackout ww11 transport-motor-vehicles

Soldered steel vehicle headlight blackout cover with metal light shield over a central slit. There is an adjustable cover to change the slit size. Below this is a 20 mm diameter hole. The steel has a galvanised finish and has been painted in a drab green colour.