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Unlike German Flecktarn, the clumps and spots that comprise Belgian Flecktarn have a distinctive 'ringed' appearance. Belgian Flecktarn is further distinguished by the sustitution of rust red for the red earth colour seen in Bundeswehr-Flecktarnmuster. [Image: Walter Vandeput.]

Belgian Flecktarn
Kingdom of Belgium

During the second half of 1976, the Bundeswehr conducted a series of 'troop trials' (Truppenversuch) in co-operation with the French army. Of the five patterns trialled, Flecktarn B (groß) was adjudged to be the most effective. However, the issue of this camouflage pattern was delayed until after Erprobung 1988 ('Proofing 1988') and the successful conclusion of the 1989 Truppenversuch “Kampfanzug 90” ('Troop Trials, "Battle Suit 90"').

This reasons for this lengthy delay are unclear. One possibility is that the decision was taken so that the Bundeswehr should remain dressed like its NATO partners, who — with the notable exceptions of France and the United Kingdom — wore olive drab uniforms.

Whatever the reasons might actually have been, uniforms camouflaged in Flecktarn B — better known as Bundeswehr-Flecktarnmuster — were not issued to soldiers of the Bundeswehr until 1990.

The previous year, however, la Composante Air/de Luchtcomponent (Belgian air force) Aircommandos adopted their own Belgian Flecktarn. Unlike Bundeswehr-Flecktarnmuster, the clumps and spots that comprise Belgian Flecktarn have a dinstinctive 'ringed' appearance. Belgian Flecktarn is further distinguished by the sustitution of rust red for the red earth colour seen in Bundeswehr-Flecktarnmuster. The colour scheme is very similar to the version of Flecktarn that was mistakenly produced for the Bundeswehr in 1990.

Allegedly the use of Flecktarn did not sit well with the Belgian military establishment because it recalled to mind Waffen-SS camouflage patterns. Whatever its reasons might really have been, La Composante Air/de Luchtcomponent began to phase out Belgian Flecktarn in 2000.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Walter Vandeput and Dan Feldkamp, for their invaluable contributions to this article. Please visit Dan's Web site, Truppenversuche der Bundeswehr 1976–1994

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