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SS-Standartenoberjunker, 27.SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division “Langemarck„, 1944. The officer cadet wears a reversible Wintertarnanzug (German: 'winter camouflage uniform') jacket, with autumn Eichenlaubmuster on one side.Histoire et Collections.]

SS-Eichenlaubmuster, autumn-winter variant
Greater German Reich

The disruptive pattern camouflage uniforms for developed by the Waffen-SS arguably represented the most significant advance in uniform design in the 20th Century. At least eight — and probably more — distinct patterns were eventually developed; and the innovations attempted and lessons learned, then, continue to influence the design of camouflage uniforms today.

Known to collectors as Oak Leaf B because it is widely believed to post-date the more common SS-Eichenlaubmuster (German 'oak leaf pattern'; also known as Oak Leaf A), SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster (German 'ringed oak leaf pattern') might actually be the earlier pattern of the two. Daniel Peterson, in Waffen SS Camouflage Uniforms & Post-War Derivatives, states that he has seen authenticated früher Typ (German 'early type') reversible smocks that were produced in the SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster material, but none that were made of SS-Eichenlaubmuster camouflage cloth. This observation strongly suggests that Oak Leaf B was the earlier of the two camouflage patterns, and that it was introduced by 1942.

The claim is further supported by the fact that Oak Leaf A is a simpler, five-colour pattern, while Oak Leaf B comprises six-colours; commonsense dictates that the need to produce more camouflage smocks in less time and at reduced costs would give rise to a process of simplification, as the war progressed, rather than one of complication.

The autumn–winter variant of SS-Eichenlaubmuster comprises blobs of black, earth brown and yellow ochre on a chocolate brown background.

SS-Eichenlaubmuster is the pattern most commonly seen on reversible camouflage smocks and second-pattern helmet covers. It was also used in the manufacture of field caps and shelter quarters and, from 1944, the camouflaged overalls that were issued to tank and self-propelled gun crews. It is also seen on 1944 HBT drill jackets and trousers, and the autumn–winter variant was used for padded Wintertarnabzug (German 'winter camouflage suits').

Additionatlly, Daniel Peterson refers to an intriguing photograph, in which Luftwaffe General der Fallschirmtruppe Eugen Meindl, of 21.Luftwaffe-Feld-Division, may be seen wearing a parachutist's jump smock patterned in SS-Eichenlaubmuster.

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