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Although most Belgian volunteers who served in Korea were issued 1948 'moon and balls' camouflage, the clergyman on the right of this photo clearly wears the later Belgian 'brushstroke' pattern. [Image: ABL/Aalmoezenier Van der Goten.]

Belgian ‘moon and balls’ camouflage pattern
Kingdom of Belgium

Introduced in 1948, the Belgian 'moon and balls' camouflage pattern is a three-colour design, com­pris­ing large, curved dark green and wood brown elements and fine dark green and wood brown 'brushstrokes' on a light green back­ground. The illusion of four colours is produced by overprinting. The brushstrokes suggest a distant affiliation with the hand-painted camouflage patterns seen on Wolrd War 2 British Denison smocks, although the colours used are also reminiscent of WW2 German Heeres-Splittermuster 31.

Initially, jump smocks patterned in 'moon and balls' camouflage were issued only to members of Belgium's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, its commando units (green berets) and its paratroopers (red berets). After 1950, though, members of the newly-created 'Volunteer Corps Korea' were also issued 'moon and balls' camouflage smocks.

These 602 volunteer soldiers — including a 44-man detachment from Luxembourg — were drawn from all branches of the armed forces and were distinguished by a brown beret, which was issued only to the Korean War volunteers; for this reason, the battalion was nicknamed 'de bruine mutsen' ('the Brown Berets'). The battalion arrived in Korea in October 1950 and underwent orientation training at the United Nations Reception Center in Taegu, before being attached to the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, I Corps.

By 30 June 1952, the number of Belgian volunteers in Korea had grown to 623. By 31 July 1953, it had grown to 944. Of the 3498 Belgian troops who fought in the Korean War, 336 were injured, 99 were killed, and five are still missing. One Belgian prisoner-of-war was repatriated.

Although the Belgian 'brushstroke' camouflage pattern was introduced into service before the end of the Korean War, 'moon and balls' camouflage smocks continued to be issued and worn until serviceable stocks were depleted.

kamouflage.net is gratefule to Walter Vandeput and ABL/aalmoezenier Van der Goten, for their invaluable contributions to this article.

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