Nazi era
The Nazi regime funded a great deal of research on camouflage uniforms, investigating many patterns including NIR camouflage. After much trial the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, in 1938, issued the basic four-colour "plane tree" pattern (Platanenmuster) of Schick and Schmid in the form of camouflage smocks to units of the Waffen SS. The three-colour disruptive Splittermuster, more commonly known in English as 'splinter pattern', was issued to the army beginning before the war, in the form of camouflaged tent quarters (zeltbahn) which was reversible, with a splinter pattern in dark colours on one side, and light coloured on the other. From 1942, a year after the Luftwaffe started producing uniforms in this pattern, a variety of helmet covers and camouflage smocks were adopted by the Heer (Army). A distinctive variant of splinter pattern camouflage was introduced midway through the war, a blurry marsh pattern (Sumpfmuster) referred to as "tan water pattern" in English by collectors. During the war, additional SS variants including "palm", "smoke", and "oak leaf" were introduced, in spring and autumn colours. By 1944 the complex "peas" pattern (Erbsenmuster) was also used by the Waffen SS issued as standard, in tunic and trouser combinations, but never in smocks or caps. Initially, camouflage had been a sign of elite troops and the SS continued this differentiation by using its own distinctive patterns.
In 1941, during the winter on the Eastern Front, German troops were at a considerable disadvantage because they were lacking winter camouflage, expecting a quick summer victory.
In 1945, a five-colour Leibermuster design was introduced. Intended to be used by all the armed forces, it was layered to improve effectiveness at distance, used a new print method to reduce obvious repetition, and included NIR protection. Due to the distribution situation, it was issued to eastern units only.
Post-war
(West) German Army First Sergeant with olive green Battle Dress (1989)
German Army Lance Corporal with Flecktarn Battle Dress (2002)In the 1950s, West Germany used two versions of the wartime "splinter", a four-colour pattern called BV-Splittermuster. Thereaft, from 1961 until 1990 they used the so called olive-green battle dress. Following various trials the dots-and-blotches five-colour Flecktarn pattern was chosen in 1976 and issued from the 1980s.
East Germany's first pattern was the 1956 Russisches Tarnmuster based, as the name suggests, on the Soviet "amoeba" designs. It was soon replaced by the four-colour Flächentarnmuster pattern (sometimes called "potato" or "splotch"). In 1965, the dense straight-line two-colour Strichmuster pattern was introduced, sometimes called "ein Strich - kein Strich", it remained in use until reunification.
Flecktarn was made the pattern for the unified country.
The Nazi regime funded a great deal of research on camouflage uniforms, investigating many patterns including NIR camouflage. After much trial the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, in 1938, issued the basic four-colour "plane tree" pattern (Platanenmuster) of Schick and Schmid in the form of camouflage smocks to units of the Waffen SS. The three-colour disruptive Splittermuster, more commonly known in English as 'splinter pattern', was issued to the army beginning before the war, in the form of camouflaged tent quarters (zeltbahn) which was reversible, with a splinter pattern in dark colours on one side, and light coloured on the other. From 1942, a year after the Luftwaffe started producing uniforms in this pattern, a variety of helmet covers and camouflage smocks were adopted by the Heer (Army). A distinctive variant of splinter pattern camouflage was introduced midway through the war, a blurry marsh pattern (Sumpfmuster) referred to as "tan water pattern" in English by collectors. During the war, additional SS variants including "palm", "smoke", and "oak leaf" were introduced, in spring and autumn colours. By 1944 the complex "peas" pattern (Erbsenmuster) was also used by the Waffen SS issued as standard, in tunic and trouser combinations, but never in smocks or caps. Initially, camouflage had been a sign of elite troops and the SS continued this differentiation by using its own distinctive patterns.
In 1941, during the winter on the Eastern Front, German troops were at a considerable disadvantage because they were lacking winter camouflage, expecting a quick summer victory.
In 1945, a five-colour Leibermuster design was introduced. Intended to be used by all the armed forces, it was layered to improve effectiveness at distance, used a new print method to reduce obvious repetition, and included NIR protection. Due to the distribution situation, it was issued to eastern units only.
Post-war
(West) German Army First Sergeant with olive green Battle Dress (1989)
German Army Lance Corporal with Flecktarn Battle Dress (2002)In the 1950s, West Germany used two versions of the wartime "splinter", a four-colour pattern called BV-Splittermuster. Thereaft, from 1961 until 1990 they used the so called olive-green battle dress. Following various trials the dots-and-blotches five-colour Flecktarn pattern was chosen in 1976 and issued from the 1980s.
East Germany's first pattern was the 1956 Russisches Tarnmuster based, as the name suggests, on the Soviet "amoeba" designs. It was soon replaced by the four-colour Flächentarnmuster pattern (sometimes called "potato" or "splotch"). In 1965, the dense straight-line two-colour Strichmuster pattern was introduced, sometimes called "ein Strich - kein Strich", it remained in use until reunification.
Flecktarn was made the pattern for the unified country.
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