Germany - pre-1945
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.
Wehrmacht
- Heeres-Splittermuster 31 was used for the Zeltbahn 31, this was a triangular zeltbahn. The two sides was different but printed in a splinter pattern. It is quite similar to the Swiss Zelteinheiten 1901. [1]
- Each German Wehrmacht soldier was issued with a zeltbahn in a splinter camouflage pattern. This is an example of a German 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.
Waffen-SS
- Waffen-SS Plane Tree (Platanenmuster). The first material of this pattern was produced in 1936 and continued until 1944. 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 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 Pea Pattern (Erbsenmuster). A late war pattern. This pattern was used briefly after WW2 by eg. the Hungarian Army using up German stocks. The photo show a reproduction of the pattern!
- ↑ Despite the patterns being quite similar there are a number of differences between the Swiss and the German shelter halves/zeltbahns: - the Swiss shelter is rectangular, the German triangular; the German zeltbahn does not have the yellow dots on one of the sides; there is green "lines" through the brown areas of the Swiss pattern - sometimes connecting the green areas. The German Zeltbahn does not have these lines. The Swiss shelter often has a stamped metal disk with the manufacturer etc.