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'Chasseurs Ardennais' ('Hunters of the Ardennes1) in training. Between them, these two soldiers wear three camouflage patterns: Belgian 'brushstroke', 1st pattern 'jigsaw' and 2nd pattern `jigsaw'. [Image: 1ste Bataljon Parachutisten.]

Belgian 'jigsaw' camouflage, 1st pattern
Kingdom of Belgium

After World War II, all branches of the Belgian armed forces were composed of a mixture of professional soldiers and officers, and conscripts, who were fulfilling their compulsory national service.

These 'service' men received partly new, partly second-hand uniforms and equipment. Typically, the uniforms were a plain olive drab green — a cost-effective way to clothe a large number of soldiers, who served for only a short period of time.

There were, however, some exceptions to this general rule: special units, such as the para-commandos, received camouflaged jump smocks and — after 1963 — over-pants.

Introduced in 1958, this first version of the unique Belgian 'jigsaw' camouflage is a five-colour pattern, comprising large, interleaved earth, dark green and light green elements combined with smaller, wavy black and white elements. The white areas of the design were created by leaving small gaps between the other colours, which allow the native colour of the fabric to show.

Jump smocks and over-pants patterned in 'jigsaw' pattern camouflage were issued and worn at the same time as 'brushstroke' patterned jump smocks.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Walter Vandeput and Steve Grammont for their invaluable contributions to this article. Please visit Steve's Web site, Steve's Page of Camo.

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