kamouflage.net camouflage data

German squad leader, Normandy, June 1944. This young NCO has draped himself in his Zeltbahn (shelter-quarter), a multipurpose camouflage item that could be worn like a poncho or used as one side of a four-person tent. [Image: Histoire et Collections.]

Reichswehr-Splittermuster 31
German Republic

Known to collectors by a variety of names, Buntfarbenaufdruck (German 'multicoloured colour print') was the basic pattern developed for the Reichswehr (German 'Territorial Defence') in the early 1930s. It was used for the standard camouflaged Zeltbahn 31 shelter quarter, which was issued to all units of the Reichsheer (German 'Territorial Army') and Reichsmarine (German 'Territorial Navy').

The Buntfarbenaufdruck camouflage pattern consists of a disruptive pattern of hard-edged wood brown and medium green polygons printed on a light field-grey or tan background. A randomly-arranged pattern of green dashes was also applied, in places, to improve the camouflage effect. The pattern was roller-applied, and repeated approximately every 44cm. The standard design was printed in bolder colours on one side of the material, and in more subdued colours on the other.

It was probably in 1935, when the Reichswehr became the Wehrmacht ('Defence Force'), that the Buntfarbenaufdruck was renamed Heeressplittermuster 31 (German 'army splinter pattern M1931'). The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (German 'Supreme Command of the Defence Force'; OKW) continued to issue the camouflaged Zeltbahn 31 to all units of the Heer (army), Kriegsmarine (navy) and Luftwaffe (airforce), until 1945.

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