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Uncover your potential', indeed! Once you stop ogling the girl, though, you might notice that this Australian Special Air Service (SAS) recruiting poster shows Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage to very good effect. [Image courtesy Brad Turner collection.]

SS-VT block pattern (autumn–winter)
Greater German Reich

Created in 1934, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS Disposal Troop, SS-VT) was originally an armed wing of the Allgemeine-SS ('General SS') and, as such, a part of the Nazi party, rather than a part of the Wehrmacht.

Two SS-VT regiments were originally formed: SS-Standarte „Germania”, in northern Germany; and SS-Standarte „Deutschland”, in the south. Elements of the SS-VT were also incorporated into the SS-Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler.

By late 1938 the various SS-VT units were partially subordinated to Oberkommando der Wehrmacht ('Supreme Command of the Defence Force', OKW). On 10 October 1938, some were combined to become the SS-Verfügungsdivision ('SS Disposal Division', V-Division) under the command of SS-Brigadeführer (Lieutenant General) Paul Hausser.

Under Hausser, the V-Division became an effective fighting force. It took part in the invasions of the Sudetenland, in 1938, and of Poland, in 1939.

It was during the Polish Campaign that soldiers of the SS-VT first fielded the 'block pattern' camouflage, shown here. Trials conducted in late 1937 and early 1938 had indicated that this innovation could reduce battlefield casualties by as much as 15 percent; however, shortages in supply meant that the new camouflage garments were issued only to assault pioneers.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Richard Howard, for his invaluable contributions to this article.

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