kamouflage.net camouflage data

Uncover your potential', indeed! Once you stop ogling the girl, though, you might notice that this Australian Special Air Service (SAS) recruiting poster shows Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage to very good effect. [Image courtesy Brad Turner collection.]

SS-Eichenlaubmuster (spring–summer)
Greater German Reich

The German Reich's development of disruptive pattern camouflage uniforms, for use by the Waffen-SS, was arguably the most significant advance in uniform design in the 20^th 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 personal camouflage today.

Known to collectors as Oak Leaf A because it is widely believed to pre-date the similar, but less common SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster ('ringed oak leaf pattern'; a.k.a. Oak Leaf B), SS-Eichenlaubmuster ('oak leaf pattern') might actually be the later pattern of the two. Daniel Peterson, in Waffen SS Camouflage Uniforms & Post-War Derivatives, states that he has seen authenticated früher Typ ('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 A was introduced after Oak Leaf B, most probably in 1942.

The claim is further supported by the fact that Oak Leaf A is a simpler, four-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 spring–summer variant of SS-Eichenlaubmuster comprises blobs of black, dark olive and spring green 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.

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.

camouflage data