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"SS Camouflage Jumper" from Tactical and Technical Trends

The following U.S. report on the Waffen-SS camouflage smock was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 45, April 1, 1944.

[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]
 

SS CAMOUFLAGE JUMPER

A reversible camouflage jumper that provides effective concealment for its wearer at all seasons is used by the German SS (Schutzstaffel) troops, the elite guard of the National Socialist party. The jumper is multicolored, being a mottled green on one side and a brownish variation on the reverse side. A helmet cover and visored cap, made of cloth printed with the same camouflage pattern, are issued with the jumper.

This camouflage clothing has no geometric lines in its pattern (see photograph below); instead there is an informal effect that blends well with the lights and shadows of a natural background. The green design is intended for use in the spring and summer against live foliage, while the brown design on the reverse side is intended for protective concealment in fall and winter against a background of dead leaves, twigs, branches, soil, gravel, etc.

[Waffen-SS Camouflage Smock]

It is evident that the jumper is intended to serve as an outer wind-proof and water-repellant garment as well as a camouflage garment. There are two slash pocket inlets which are designed for use in conjunction with regular pockets of the undergarment. An elastic insert in the waist and cuff bands eliminates the necessity for outer hardware, leather or webbing straps which might create sounds by coming in contact with trees and other objects.

The jumper fits over the head and fastens approximately one-half way down the front with a lace-up arrangement. There is no collar to the garment as the field blouse normally appears above it. The facing around the neck band merely serves as a reinforcement.

The jumper is not practical for use in tropical zones because of its weight, 1 pound and 9 ounces. Apparently it was designed for use in temperate zones.

 
 


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