Germany - pre-1945

German Third Reich

Germany was one of the first countries to use camouflage uniforms. Both the German Wehrmacht (Army) and Waffen-SS were issued camouflage uniforms during WW2. Typically, Wehrmacht used Splittertarn (splinter) patterns with "rain strokes", while Waffen-SS used other patterns. At the very end of WW2 the Leibermuster was introduced - this pattern should be used both by Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS alike. Only few troops were issued this pattern.

Several books have been written on the subject of German WW2 camouflage. Daniel Peterson has written two - one dealing with Wehrmacht and one with Waffen-SS camouflage - both also containing information on postwar uniforms. Werner Palinckx has written a book with Dr. J.F. Borsarello on German Wehrmacht uniforms. Michael Beaver wrote with Dr. J.F. Borsarello a book on Waffen-SS uniforms

The Wehrmacht Awards forum contains lot of information on German WW2 uniforms

Camouflage Patterns of the German Wehrmacht

• Heeres-Splittermuster 31 (Army splinter pattern) was used for the Zeltbahn 31 - a triangular zeltbahn. The colouration of the two sides was different but both printed in a splinter pattern. It is quite similar to the Swiss Zelteinheiten 1901. The pattern was also used for a number of uniform items and was the basis of the Luftwaffe-Splittermuster

• Each German Wehrmacht soldier was issued with a Zeltbahn 31. This is an example of a Wehrmacht soldier based on the west coast of Denmark who has made his own uniform by sewing a zeltbahn like a M44 jacket and adding pieces of clothing from the zeltbahn to an old pair of trousers.

• Luftwaffe-Splittermuster 41. This was a scaled down version of the Heeres-Splittermuster 31 and was used for some Luftwaffe uniforms - eg. the "Knochensack" (Bone sack), the jump suit of the paratroopers. The photo shows a reproduction.

• Wehrmacht Sumpfmuster 43 ("43 Marsh Pattern"). This pattern still has the geometric shapes of the Heeres-Splittermuster, but additionally some blurred shapes on top of them giving the pattern a much more "fluffier" look. Used for garments from 1943.

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• Wehrmacht Sumpfmuster 44 ("44 Marsh Pattern"). The geometric shapes are now gone. Used for garments from 1944.

• The book by Werner Palinckx and Dr. J.F. Borsarello on German Wehrmacht uniforms mentions a pattern called "Experimental WH trial". It is worn in the movie "Where Eagles Dare" (starring among others Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood) and was reputedly genuine wartime uniforms. It turns out they were in fact movie props...

Thanks to Remy Spezzano for the permission to use these photos

• Leibermuster was the final camouflage pattern developed by the Germans during WW2. It should be issued to both Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS soldiers, but it seems that it was mostly issued to Wehrmacht soldiers in Czechoslovakia in the very end of the war. The pattern is different from the Czechoslovak Leibermuster pattern. The photo shows a reproduction.

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Camouflage Patterns of the Waffen-SS

• Block pattern. The very first pattern. Developed and used in small scale 1936-38.

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• Waffen-SS Plane Tree (Platanenmuster). The term refers to the Platanaceae species, better known as the sycamore. The first material of this pattern was produced in 1936 and continued until 1944 - there are several variations of this pattern. The pattern is reversible with a summer and autumn side. It is printed in two tones (giving the impression of three) with a black overprint. Used for eg. helmet covers, smocks and zeltbahns. The photo shows a reproduction of this pattern!

• Waffen-SS Blurred Edge (Rauchtarnmuster). 1941-1944. Used for garments and zeltbahns. The pattern is printed as a three-colour Oak Leaf pattern with a black two-tone shadow.

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• Waffen-SS Palm Tree pattern (Palmenmuster). Used for smocks and helmet covers. The photo show a reproduction - in fact of a zeltbahn (the pattern was not used for the production of these!). Produced 1940-1942 and saw widespread use during the invasion of USSR.

• Waffen-SS Oak Leaf pattern (Eichenlaubmuster). There are two types of this pattern - A and B (also called "ringed" and regular). Used for garments and zeltbahns from 1941-1945. The photos show the type B:

• Waffen-SS Pea Pattern (Erbsenmuster) - the first non-reversible wartime Waffen-SS pattern. A late war pattern - introduced in 1944. Used for garments. This pattern was used briefly after WW2 by eg. the Hungarian Army using up German stocks. The photo show a reproduction of the pattern!