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A German soldier, circa 1956

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Introduced in 1956, Bundeswehr-Zelt-Tarnmuster ('Bundeswehr tent camouflage pattern') appears to be a hybrid of wartime Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht designs. The brown 'autumn' design is shown here. [Image: Daniel Peterson/The Crowood Press Ltd.]

Bundeswehr-Zelt-Tarnmuster (autumn–winter)
Federal Republic of Germany

Introduced in 1956, Bundeswehr-Zelt-Tarnmuster ('Bundeswehr tent camouflage pattern') appears to be a hybrid of wartime Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht designs, with irregularly-shaped blotches printed over splinter elements reminiscent of Heeres-Splittermuster 31. It is the only post-war German pattern to feature reversible spring and autumn colorations: the predominantly brown 'autumn' design is shown here.

All the evidence suggests that this pattern was never intended for use on anything but the Zeltbahn, although field-improvised helmet covers were frequently made from Zeltbahn material.

In spite of the fact that Bundeswehr-Zelt-Tarnmuster is a postwar camouflage pattern, it was used to make up the helmet covers and smocks worn by Waffen-SS soldiers in the movie A Bridge Too Far.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Arend Theunissen, for his invaluable contribution to this article.

camouflage data

1cm grid

Bundeswehr-Zelt-Tarnmuster (autumn–winter)
1956–1980

Specimen of Bundeswehr-Zelt-Tarnmuster (autumn–winter)

Specimen kindly supplied by Arend Theunissen

Actual size: 45×39.93cm

 also known as:
  • Bundeswehr-Zelt-Tarnmuster
  • Bundeswehr tent camouflage pattern
country of origin:

Bundesrepublik Deutschland

National flag: Federal Republic of Germany

Federal Republic of Germany
influences:
used by:
  • Bundesgrenzschutz
  • Bundeswehr

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