"Use of camouflage" Topic

I have recently come across quite a few pictures of UK armour of all types using different types of camouflage. Nets,foliage,Ect.But it seems mostly nets. And it seems that there aren't as many of US ones taking advantage of it. So my question is who used it the most? Robert

if you're talking about camo paint, i kinda don't see the point in putting it on. mean to say, the vehicle drives 2 miles and the dusk/dirt covers the paint.

British/Canadian armour had scrim nets and hessian tape issued as part of the vehicle's standard equipment. It was therefore used on a fairly consistent basis in adherence to Regimental orders. I don't believe U.S. armor received scrim nets other than large nets to be used when in static locations. I have also read accounts of British/Canadian regimental workshops welding short lengths of vertical pipe around the vehicle for foliage installation.
The black "Mickey Mouse" pattern camouflage paint was quite effective at long range in breaking up the shadow outlines and highlights of the vehicle.

"scrim nets and hessian tape"

Thanks MAD MIKE. That is what I was referring to. Robert

As an aside

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looks at camouflage in great detail.

An intersting read.

The scrim nets are mainly there for when the vehicles are parked up.

Comet tank with scrim nets installed-third pic down
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I had these in mind when asking the question,

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Robert

Since the Allies had air supremacy (that's even better than air superiority), the Germans used the most camouflage: uniforms, paint, foliage, everything.

I have no doubt of that.But out of the two,the US and UK in both the Med and Europe,who used the similar type of camouflage the most. As I stated in my OP I have seen alot of photos of " UK armour of all types using different types of camouflage.Nets,foliage,Ect.But it seems mostly nets".
Robert

Thanks Tim LOL. And look! I found a US Sherman using similar camouflage . So it looks like some were of similar mind. Robert

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And there is this British Sherman too,

I have noticed that in most of the photos it seems to be in use on the front of the tank to most. Robert

I do like this photo of some Canadian tanks . Robert

I am getting tired of the BUG LOL. Robert

Camouflage is un-manly, we should have painted everthing pink! Seriously though, Canadians, Polish and UK all used scrim nets in WW2. Canadians and Brits use them even today!

I would think IMO that the Allies used it more for the opposite reason then the Germans. To conceal against enemy armour while the Germans used it more for concealment against Allied aircraft. Robert

"Well-camouflaged, a tank of the Ontario Regiment advances on San Angelo, Italy, May 1944. "

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Kind of reminds me of the old Bugs Bunny cartoons with the character hiding in the bush and all you see is a bush and some feet underneath sneaking LOL. Robert

A camouflaged American Sherman sketch:

and
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and:
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Looks like the British and Canadians were the ones really into the "Moving Bush" camouflage . Robert

Here is another good US one. This time a halftrack,

"An American anti-aircraft gun, towed by a truck camouflaged with foliage, moves into position in the Hürtgen Forest to provide fire support against ground targets. November 6, 1944."

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I do like the "mossy" look of some of the camo used . Robert

"A Sherman tank of the Irish Guards lies in a stream after collapsing a bridge on the sliproad leading to the Bremen-Hamburg autobahn, 20 April 1945."

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It seems to me that if a unit is constantly moving that they would have little need of camo. It's mostly used to conceal oneself when stationary. Monty was prone to sitting pat until he had overwhelming numerical superiority and only THEN go on the offensive. He was a conservative commander. The American generals however,(like Patton) tended to be more aggressive.
Of course I'm making VERY broad generalizations here, but the two DID have different methods of operating.
Since the Brits were the more cautious of the two, I can see why they would use more camo more often.

It does look like most of the photos are of vehicles in motion. Robert

I see the Free French used them too. Robert

And for those who love their Wheaties:

Rod Robertson

Just to prove that all Canadians were not obsessed with camouflage – these boys just threw some netting and tape over their welded track and called it quits!
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However these American lads were a little keener.
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Rod Robertson

Nothing like nice orderly rows of bushes LOL. Robert
"Churchill tank crews of 31st Tank Brigade with their extensively camouflaged vehicles, 13 July 1944."

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Another of the netting draped over the front. Robert

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Does anyone know if the "Funnies" or bridging tanks used by the UK forces used the camouflage the same way. Robert

Or the M7 "Priests"? Robert

Another US Traveling "Bush'. Robert

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Also what about scout cars? Robert

Cromwell Turret. 1945

I am more of a modeller than a gamer and I found this book to be an excellent resource for camo schemes link

Thats one I have in my collection. Though its still is in storage after my move about a year ago. Robert

I found the series very helpful and even have a link somewhere with corrections on some of the schemes shown in the 3 Panzer Colors books.

Some of posts in John the OFM's "Stowage on engine decks. Fire hazard?" thread made me wonder about the flammability of the netting and foliage. Robert

Cromwell, Sittard, Holland

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This from the FoW site But it also shows a Cromwell with the same kind of Hessian netting as in some of the other photos.

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Robert

"Many photos of British armor during and right after Normandy have this netting. The most popular uses for this netting was wrapped around the turret, and draped over the gun barrel and front hull. However, other combinations and additions can be found also, depending on the crew of the vehicle.

The primary purpose of this netting as it is with any camouflage, was to make the vehicle very difficult to make out from the rest of the terrain. In this respect it was quite effective, the netting helped break up the harsh edges of the vehicle and the long strips of material gave an appearance of leaves. When properly used in conjunction with the local foliage, the vehicle could be made to look as if it was just another bush or tree."
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Sherman tanks of the Royal Scots Greys, 4th Armoured Brigade surrounded by abandoned German transport in Wismar, 4 May 1945.

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"Heavily camouflaged Churchill tanks of the North Irish Horse, 25th Tank Brigade, 19 July 1944."

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"9 Troop B Squadron Welsh Guards, The Netherlands 1944"

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Now this Cromwell just has a "vine" look to it. Robert

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Does anyone know if the "Funnies" or bridging tanks used by the UK forces used the camouflage the same way.

I'd be surprised if they did. Crocodiles would be worried about lighting the camo on fire, and I would expect that the bridgelayers would want to avoid getting camo materials in the way of the bridging equipment.

Well that appears to be true. I haven't found any yet. I did find this one though,

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Robert