"SS Camo Patterns and Theaters" Topic

There are many great resources on the web and also in publications that show both the array of SS camo patterns used in WW2 and also step by step guides on how to paint them. Does anyone know of a resource that details when and equally importantly where the camo was worn. Was it primarily seasonal, or did a variety of patterns coexist on the battlefield. Also, was for example the classic "Pea dot" pattern employed primarily in Western Europe, or could it be found in other theaters? Likewise other patterns – how widespread was their use in Italy, Western Europe, and also the Eastern Front?

Just going briefly from memory, they were used primarily in 44 and 45 (IIRC not much in use pre-43). Some, if not most, were double sided with a green version on one side and a brown (fall) version on the other. There were some camos that were camo on one side and white on the other as well. They were used primarily in Western Europe and Italy due to terrain, but there was some use in Russia also. As far as what specifically was used where and when, I'm sure someone will be along shortly to fill in the gaps.

What scale miniatures are you doing? I seem to recall a pretty well done tutorial for them on the FOW website, but that would be more appropriate to 15mm of course, and while it could apply across the board, you can get away with a lot less detail at 15mm than 28mm.

Otherwise, look up some armor modelling websites, like Track-Links and Missing Lynx to name a couple (dont have URLs handy, but a google search will turn them up).

And the pea dot was used all over, as far as I know. A lot of SS units rotated back and forth between the Eastern and Western fronts.

There are several different patterns, but almost all of the smocks were reversable. They had autumn colors on one side, and summer on the other. That was not true for the actual tunics, which were much less common than the smocks.

Look up reenactor websites, they will have a lot of details about what units wore what, when, and for how long, as well as some close up photos in color of accurate replicas or originals.

try lssah.com which is a 1st SS reenactor website, and has a lot of information (note, they are not political, and this is not a neo nazi or white supremascist website).

Happy Painting!

Lots of exceptions of course, but a good rule of thumb:

The "Palm" and Planetree patterns were used from the beginning of the war onward (and existed before the war). The other patterns like Oak A and B (and the "blurred" versions) began appearing early and middle of the war. Leave Pea Dot to late war only, and (also: NO smocks, zelts, or helmet covers), only pants and the jacket, and some winter gear.

Most patterns will be seen in all theaters where SS fought.

'Pea Dot' fabric appeared in 1944 and was only used to manufacture tunics, trousers, panzer-crew uniforms (and field caps, IIRC). It was not used for smocks, helmet-covers or zeltbahnen (a very commonly-made mistake); these items were manufactured from the various foliate patterns (some of which were in use from 1939).

I don't know the specifics of issue on the Eastern Front, but I can't think of any reason why it would not be issued on that front.

Hi,

Ivan and Mark are right. Be carefull not to mix up the "erbse /pee) with the Plantanen and Eichenlaub (oakleave). The Erbse was only used for the jackets and trousers and combis.

The "Italienisches Fallschirmjaeger Muster" was also used in 44 to replace the shortages of the plantanen and eichenlaub.

The real rule of thump must be… Units have specific camos depending on there creation or resupply…

Some examples which I heard from eyewitness:
1.3.9. SS had until 45 platanen smok. 12. Was build in 44 and was in Erbse.

In case of doubt would I always give plantanen or oakleave..
Or you paint a specific unit and than paint them in their camo.

These items are considered personal equipment so the soldiers would take them from the eastfront to normandy and than to the bulge and than back to the eastfront.

Greetings and have fun

This is a guide to German Camo Patterns that I wrote a few years ago
PDF link

Also pictures of some patterns are here

link

Regards
Mick

Mick,

Great job! Very well done.. Hut ab!

If you include the "lieber" you should also enclude the SS experimental "ein strich, kein strich" witch became the standart for the NVA.

Great guide, thanks Mick!

Thanks everyone for the great advice on what I've found as a beginner in the period to be very confusing. Great links, and Mick, thanks for those wonderful guide.
Hope to share the results in a few weeks.
Digger