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The Bulgarian 'frogskin' camouflage pattern was introduced in the 1970s. The one-piece coverall was considered a 'special purpose' garment, and was issued only to paratroopers or other special operations personnel. [Image: Daniel Peterson/The Crowood Press Ltd.]

Zhabezhka kozha camouflage pattern
People's Republic of Bulgaria

First issued in 1968, the Bulgarian 'frogskin' (Bulgarian: жабежка кожа, trans. zhabezhka kozha) camouflage pattern is a rare and intriguing three-colour design, comprising hard-edged grass green spots and clumps on a light grey background, overprinted with a continuous pattern of brick red dashes. Its general appearance strongly suggests that the design was based on Czechoslovakian 3-colour Sumpfmuster ('marsh pattern'), although some sources have claimed that it derived, at least in part, from the wartime SS-Platanenmuster ('plane tree' or 'sycamore') camouflage pattern.

Opinions differ, too, about its issue. On his Bulgarian Military Page, collector Chris Remy states:

The Frogskin/Rain pattern camouflage from Bulgaria was developed in the 1970s in an attempt to make a uniform that the NATO allies could not recognize. With this new pattern Bulgarian Paratroops would invade an 'aggressor' area. This pattern was never official and thus [remained] 'secret'. It was issued first to Paratroops, then Chemical Warfare troops, then a few found their way to the border patrol (not border guards).

In Wehrmacht Camouflage Uniforms and Post-War Derivatives, however, author Daniel Peterson claims:

The Bulgarian [Sumpfmuster] pattern is used exclusively by border guards.

If anyone can shed some light on this mystery, please contact me us.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Alexander Kolev, for his invaluable contribution to this article. Alexander works for ShopBulgaria.com — please visit their Web site.

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