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German gunner, 21.Panzer-Division, Normandy, 1944

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German gunner, 21.Panzer-Division, Normandy, 1944. Notwithstanding the scarcity of regulation camouflage uniforms, numerous non-regulation Heeres-Splittermuster 31 garments were improvised from Zeltbahn material. {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.

camouflage data

1cm grid

Reichswehr-Splittermuster 31
1932–1962

Specimen of Reichswehr-Splittermuster 31

Specimen kindly supplied by Brad Turner

Actual size: 21.36×29.46cm

 also known as:
  • Buntfarbenaufdruck
  • Heeres-Splittermuster 31
  • Reichswehr-Splittermuster 31
  • Splittermuster 31
  • Splittermuster
  • Splittertarnmuster
  • Splittertarnung
  • Wehrmachts-Splittermuster 31
  • Splinter 2
  • Splinter A
  • splinter pattern
country of origin:

Deutsches Reich

National flag: German Republic

German Republic
used by:
  • Reichsheer
also used by:

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