The SS
The SS-Verfügungstruppe
The SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) was considered an armed wing of the Allgemeine-SS and, as such, a part of the Nazi party, rather than a part of the Wehrmacht. It was created in 1934, through the merging of various Nazi and other right-wing paramilitary formations.
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 (OKW), and, on 10 October, some of them were combined, to become the SS-Verfügungsdivision (V-Division), which was placed 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 invasion of the Sudetenland, in 1938, and of Poland, in 1939. However, V-Division never fought as a single unit; instead, it was divided into smaller regiments and dispersed among the Wehrmacht Heer units.
After the invasion of France, in 1940, V-Division was renamed 'Das Reich'; and it, together with the other SS-VT units were placed under the command of the Kommandoamt der Waffen-SS, which was a newly-created office within the OKW. Thereafter, the SS-VT was known as the Waffen-SS and became, in effect, a fourth branch of the Wehrmacht - albeit an unconventional and semi-autonomous one.
The Waffen-SS
At the outset of World War II, the Waffen-SS (W-SS) was generally regarded as an elite military force. It owed this reputation more to the quality of its men and their training than to its weapons and equipment - which, in spite of popular misperceptions, ranged wildly in quality, from excellent to extremely third-rate.
The reputation of the Waffen-SS attracted not only the flower of Germany's youth, but young men from other countries, as well. Thus, in addition to the German units there were also SS-Freiwilligenverbände, formed of volunteers from countries and regions such as Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Belarus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Hungary, India, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, the Sudetenland, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.
However, as the war continued and the demands on German manpower grew out of all proportion, Germany began to press young men, from occupied territories in Eastern Europe, into military service. Thus the term Freiwilligenverbände acquired ironic and pejorative associations.
The reputation of the Waffen-SS was further damaged by its willingness to field units composed of prisoners-of-war, criminals and 'military deliquents' - soldiers, who were found guilty of acts that would be considered criminal in civilian life.
The 3rd Reich's development of disruptive pattern camouflage uniforms, for use by the Waffen-SS, was arguably the most significant advance in uniform design in the 20th Century. At least eight - and probably more - distinct patterns were eventually developed; and the innovations attempted and lessons learned, then, continue to influence the design of personal camouflage today.
How To Paint Waffen-SS Camouflage Uniforms
This is yet another of those many subjects that seem to have as many answers as there are painters. These methods, however, work for me, and give me a camouflage uniform I'm happy with.
I paint my figures from the inside out (and no, I don't bother with eyes), so I will show all the paint guides starting with an undercoated figure that has already had the assorted flesh tones and field grey uniform bits applied. Since everyone has their own favourite for that, I'll restrict myself to saying that I paint the skin areas with GW Dwarf Flesh, put on a coat of flesh ink, drybrush with Dwarf Flesh, drybrush again with Bronzed Flesh and finish up (sometimes) with a final drybrush of Elf Flesh. I don't bother being particularly tidy, mainly as all "messes" are cleaned up by the subsequent layers of paint.
The other part that will be painted already is the normal field-grey part of the uniform, and for the same reasons.
I'll be illustrating my camouflage "how-to" with figures as I would have them when reaching the point that I start painting the camouflaged item.
My main reference book for the various SS patterns is Europa Militaria 18: Waffen-SS Camouflage Uniforms & Post-War Derivatives. This little gem features models wearing a mixture of real and replica clothing, showing the various patterns off to best effect. These pictures are invaluable in trying to recreate the patterns in miniature. All replicas are clearly indicated, and usually shown with a real item in order to show how they differ.
Europa Militaria 18: Waffen-SS Camouflage Uniforms & Post-War Derivatives
SS-Platanenmuster
Known to collectors as 'plane-tree' or 'sycamore', SS-Platanenmuster ('plane-tree pattern' or 'sycamore pattern') was probably the earliest camouflage pattern to see service with the Waffen-SS; this claim is based on the fact that the pattern can be seen in pre-war photographs.
The black overprint used for Platanenmuster and one of its derivatives, SS-Eich-Platanenmuster (a hybrid of Platanenmuster and Eichenlaubmuster), incorporates clear numerals - '1' through '6' - which have engendered much speculation.
The most popular explanation for these mysterious numbers is that they assisted soldiers in buttoning together Zeltbahnen with matching numbers, to achieve a flawless camouflage effect. Popular or not, this explanation seems highly improbable, since it is unlikely that any soldier would trouble himself to find comrades with correspondingly-numbered shelter-quarters, before making camp.
More plausible is the explanation posited by Daniel Peterson, in his book Waffen SS Camouflage Uniforms & Post-War Derivatives- namely, that the numerals represent specific camouflage printing screens, which were to be applied to a given roll of camouflage cloth. His opinion is supported by the numerous anomalies and imperfections seen in the black overprint, which suggests manual application by means of a silk-screen process.
Like all of the Waffen-SS camouflage patterns that were designed before 1944, Platanenmuster exists in a predominantly brown autumn-winter colour scheme and a predominantly green spring-summer pattern.
(Spring-Summer)
The spring-summer variant of SS-Platanenmuster comprises blobs of black, dark olive and spring green on a chocolate brown background.
SS-Platanenmuster, Spring-Summer
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
(Autumn-Winter)
The autumn-winter variant of SS-Platanenmuster is a four-colour design of black, earth brown and yellow ochre elements on a chocolate brown background.
SS-Platanenmuster, Autumn-Winter
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
SS-Rauchtarnmuster
SS-Rauchtarnmuster ('smoke camouflage pattern') - also known as 'burred edge' or 'blurred edge', among English-speaking collectors - appears to be one of the more enduring Waffen-SS camouflage patterns; photographs show that it was in service from 1939 until 1944. Moreover, it was probably used in the production of more types of regulation SS garment than any other pattern; although all examples are comparatively rare, it is found on Zeltbahnen (shelter quarters), first and second pattern helmet covers, field caps and smocks - even the last type of smock, manufactured in herringbone twill (abbrev. HBT) linen. When the non-reversible, two-piece camouflaged drill uniform - getarnter Drillichanzug - was introduced, from January 1944, surplus stocks of Eichenlaubmuster ('oak-leaf pattern') and Rauchtarnmuster HBT were used in its production, alongside the more typical Erbsenmuster ('pea pattern') HBT.
Like all of the Waffen-SS camouflage patterns that were designed before 1944, SS-Rauchtarnmuster exists in a predominantly brown autumn-winter colour scheme and a predominantly green spring-summer pattern.
(Spring-Summer)
The spring-summer variant of SS-Rauchtarnmuster comprises blobs of black, dark olive and spring green on a chocolate brown background.
SS-Rauchtarnmuster, Spring-Summer
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
(Autumn-Winter)
The autumn-winter variant of SS-Rauchtarnmuster is a four-colour design of black (or dark brown), earth brown and yellow ochre elements on a chocolate brown background. It is actually a derivative of SS-Platanenmuster, with identical base colours; the 'smokey' black overprint used is the only significant difference between the two designs.
SS-Rauchtarnmuster, Autumn-Winter
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
SS-Eichenlaubmuster
Known to collectors as 'Oak Leaf A' because it is widely believed to pre-date the similar, but less common SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster ('ringed oak leaf pattern'; also known as 'Oak Leaf B'), SS-Eichenlaubmuster ('oak leaf pattern') might actually be the later pattern of the two. Daniel Peterson, in Waffen SS Camouflage Uniforms & Post-War Derivatives, states that he has seen authenticated früher Typ ('early type') reversible smocks that were produced in the SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster material, but none that were made of SS-Eichenlaubmuster camouflage cloth. This observation strongly suggests that Oak Leaf A was introduced after Oak Leaf B, most probably in 1942.
The claim is further supported by the fact that Oak Leaf A is a simpler, four-colour pattern, while Oak Leaf B comprises six-colours; common sense dictates that the need to produce more camouflage smocks in less time and at reduced costs would give rise to a process of simplification, as the war progressed, rather than one of complication.
SS-Eichenlaubmuster is the pattern most commonly seen on reversible camouflage smocks and second-pattern helmet covers. It was also used in the manufacture of field caps and shelter quarters.
Additionatlly, Daniel Peterson refers to an intriguing photograph, in which Luftwaffe General der Fallschirmtruppe Eugen Meindl, of the 21.Luftwaffe-Feld-Division, may be seen wearing a parachutist's jump smock patterned in SS-Eichenlaubmuster
(Spring-Summer)
The spring-summer variant of SS-Eichenlaubmuster comprises blobs of black, dark olive and spring green on a chocolate brown background.
SS-Eichenlaubmuster, Spring-Summer
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
(Autumn-Winter)
The autumn-winter variant of SS-Eichenlaubmuster comprises blobs of black, earth brown and yellow ochre on a chocolate brown background.
SS-Eichenlaubmuster, Autumn-Winter
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster
Known to collectors as Oak Leaf B because it is widely believed to post-date the more common SS-Eichenlaubmuster ('oak leaf pattern'; also known as Oak Leaf A), SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster ('ringed oak leaf pattern') might actually be the earlier pattern of the two. Daniel Peterson, in Waffen SS Camouflage Uniforms & Post-War Derivatives, states that he has seen authenticated früher Typ ('early type') reversible smocks that were produced in the SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster material, but none that were made of SS-Eichenlaubmuster camouflage cloth. This observation strongly suggests that Oak Leaf B was the earlier of the two camouflage patterns, and that it was introduced by 1942.
The claim is further supported by the fact that Oak Leaf A is a simpler, five-colour pattern, while Oak Leaf B comprises six-colours; commonsense dictates that the need to produce more camouflage smocks in less time and at reduced costs would give rise to a process of simplification, as the war progressed, rather than one of complication.
The spring-summer variant of SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster comprises blobs of black, dark earth, lime green, and medium green on a chocolate brown background. Dark green keylines demarcate the boundaries between small lime green elements and adjacent medium green areas. Where these keylines surround smaller design elements, they form the characteristic rings, for which this camouflage pattern is named.
SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster was used in the manufacture of reversible camouflage smocks, helmet covers, field caps and shelter quarters. It was also used for 1944 HBT drill jackets and trousers.
SS-Beringt-Eichenlaubmuster
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
SS-Erbsenmuster
An order issued 1 March 1944 introduced a two-piece camouflaged drill uniform - getarnter Drillichanzug - as a replacement for the green and off-white work fatigues, as well as the pull-over camouflage smock. The earliest examples of this new uniform were made using surplus stocks of reversible SS-Eichenlaubmuster ('oak-leaf pattern') fabric. However, the order - possibly to reduce production time and costs - included no specification for the getarnter Drillichanzug to be reversible. In order that the new uniform should be suitable for all seasons, therefore, a new, 'universal' camouflage pattern - SS-Erbsenmuster ('pea pattern') - was eventually created.
Known variously as 'Dot 44', 'dot pattern' or 'Peas 44', SS-Erbsenmuster is a five-colour camouflage pattern of black, grass green, light tan and medium olive clumps and flecks on a chocolate brown field. (The medium olive elements are frequently missing from post-war reproductions).
Apart from its use in production of the getarnter Drillichanzug, SS-Erbsenmuster was also used in the manufacture of two-piece drill Panzer uniforms and the Wintertarnanzug (two-piece winter camouflage suit), although it seldom appears in wartime photographs. Therefore it seems likely that the Erbsenmuster winter suits were produced late in the war, and that few of them were issued.
Officially, Erbsenmuster caps and helmet covers were not produced, although there are some surviving examples of both, which were made in the field. There is still some doubt, however, as to whether or not Erbsenmuster was used in the manufacture of SS-Fallschirmjäger jump-smocks. According to SS-Hauptsturmführer Siegfried Milius, who had commanded SS-Fallschirmjäger Bataillon 500/600 from July 1944 until the end of World War II, stated that they had never been issued with jump-smocks patterned in SS-Erbsenmuster camouflage. Since SS-Fallschirmjäger Bataillon 500/600 was the only operational Waffen-SS paratroop unit, Milius' word may be considered as definitive: jump-smocks patterned in SS-Erbsenmuster camouflage were never issued. This, however, is not to say that they weren't manufactured. According to Milius, his batallion was scheduled to receive Erbsenmuster jump-smocks when it was stationed in Budapest. They were never delivered, though, because the train carrying them had been bombed by the Allies, and the shipment was destroyed.
SS-Erbsenmuster
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
SS-Leibermuster
The SS-Leibermuster ('body pattern') is the only wartime German camouflage of which the official name is known. This is due to the efforts of U.S. Army Quartermaster Francis S. Richardson, who, on 20 July 1945, prepared a report on German camouflage for the U.S. Army.
In fact, almost all that is known about SS-Leibermuster was recorded by Richardson, according to whom this pattern was developed by the same Professor Schick that was responsible for the earliest Waffen-SS camouflage designs. It might therefore be that all Waffen-SS camouflage patterns can be attributed to Professor Schick- although this claim is by no means certain.
Whatever the case might be, it is certain that SS-Leibermuster was intended to replace all previous camouflage patterns used by both the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. It is also known that the design was printed using special light-absorbing dyes, that were intended to thwart observation by the infra-red night vision devices that were coming into service just before the end of the Second World War; in his report, Richardson describes, at length, the time-consuming process that was needed to produce SS-Leibermuster cloth. He also observes that the pattern was primarily intended for the manufacture of Wintertarnanzug ('winter camouflage suits') and Zeltbahnen ('shelter quarters'), and that very few German soldiers seem ever to have been issued with these items.
Most surviving examples of the SS-Leibermuster camouflage pattern are extremely faded and worn; this is perhaps because they were the only clothing available to German prisoners of war during their extended detention. In its original condition, though, SS-Leibermuster is a six-colour design, comprising a buff background, white flecks overprinted with light green, overprinted with feathered, leaf-shaped medium green and red-brown swatches, overprinted with carbon black 'branches'.
SS-Leibermuster
Original Fabric Swatch
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
Foreign Fabrics
1929 Telo Mimetico- Italienisches Muster
The 1929 Telo Mimetico ('camouflage cloth') pattern can claim two significant distinctions. First, its introduction in 1929 makes it the first military camouflage pattern ever to have been widely issued. Second, its continued use until the 1990s makes it the longest-used military camouflage pattern in the world.
The Telo Mimetico pattern is a three-colour camouflage pattern of medium green, red-brown and yellow ochre. Originally used only for camouflage shelter halves, in 1937 it was used in the manufacture of camouflage uniforms for Italian paratroopers - which means that Telo Mimetico was also the first design ever to be used for camouflage uniforms.
The widespread use of Telo Mimetico cloth by soldiers of the German Reich coincided with the 1943 disarmament of the Italian forces. Both 1.SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" and 12.SS-Panzer-Division "Hitler Jugend" participated in the process, and it is perhaps no surprise that members of these two divisions were - to judge by wartime photos - the most conspicuous users of Italian camouflage material.
The original Telo Mimetico pattern is a three-colour camouflage pattern of medium green, red-brown and yellow ochre. There are, however, several variations.
1929 Telo Mimetico- Italienisches Muster
Original Fabric Swatch.
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
1938 M sátorlap-esögallér- Italienisches Muster
The 1938 M sátorlap-esögallér ('M38 shelter half') was the first standard camouflage garment to be widely issued to soldiers of the Royal Hungarian Army. Like the Zeltbahn 31, the sátorlap-esögallér was a multipurpose camouflage item that could be worn as an individual camouflage poncho or used to construct a shelter.
Shelter halves were the only official camouflage garments used by the Royal Hungarian Army during World War II. Notwithstanding the scarcity of regulation camouflage uniforms, Hungarian soldiers, in the field, contrived to manufacture numerous non-regulation uniform items from M38 camouflage material. These field-improvised garments included helmet covers, camouflage smocks modelled on the German Tarnhemd, camouflaged paratrooper jump-smocks modelled on the German Knochensack ('bone-sack'), and hooded jackets.
Since Hungarian and German soldiers fought side-by-side as allies, it seems probable that fabric from the sátorlap-esögallér was also used for German field-made garments.
Based on the Telo Mimetico ('camouflage cloth') pattern, the design featured on the Hungarian M38 shelter half was a three-colour pattern, comprising hard-edged green and maroon shapes on a light tan background.
1938 M sátorlap-esögallér
Original Fabric Swatch.
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.
1939 M sátorlap-esögallér- Ungarisches Muster
The 1939 M sátorlap-esögallér ('M38 shelter half') was a variation on the M38 version, a burred-edge pattern, which was featured on the M 1939 sátorlap-esögallér, the multipurpose camouflage item that could be worn as an individual camouflage poncho or used to construct a shelter.
Shelter halves were the only official camouflage garments used by the Royal Hungarian Army during World War II. Notwithstanding the scarcity of regulation camouflage uniforms, Hungarian soldiers, in the field, contrived to manufacture numerous non-regulation uniform items from M38 camouflage material. These field-improvised garments included helmet covers, camouflage smocks modelled on the German Tarnhemd, camouflaged paratrooper jump-smocks modelled on the German Knochensack ('bone-sack'), and hooded jackets.
Tamás Baczoni, of the Museum of Military History, Hungary, has not seen any surviving examples of soft-edged pattern shelter halves that pre-date 1944. He concedes, however, that it is possible the soft-edge pattern shelter-halves were produced earlier, since the 1939 regulations direct that shelter-halves should be made either in hard edge or in soft edge pattern camouflage. Mr Baczoni adds that contemporary photos of WW2 Hungarian soldiers show that most were equipped with hard-edge patterned shelter halves.
Since Hungarian and German soldiers fought side-by-side as allies, it seems probable that fabric from the sátorlap-esögallér was also used for German field-made garments.
Based on the Telo Mimetico ('camouflage cloth') pattern, the design featured on the Hungarian M39 shelter half, like that seen on the M38 shelter half, was a three-colour camouflage pattern, comprising soft-edged dark brown and sage green elements on a light tan background.
1938 M sátorlap-esögallér
Original Fabric Swatch.
Information and image taken from kamouflage.net with permission.