The M38 Tarnjacke is a camouflaged smock of German origin.[1][2][3]
Overview[]
The M38 Tarnjacke is a baggy, pull-over garment made of linen canvas. As it was designed to be worn over the field tunic or greatcoat an elastic waistband was placed low on the skirt, to wrap under the cartridge belt. It has also two vertical openings in the chest so the wearer could access his ammunition. It also has elastic bands in the sleeves and drawcords for adjusting the neck opening.
History[]
The director of the 1935 founded Abteilung „T“ („Tarnung“ English: Camouflage) department, the Munich professor Johann Georg Otto Schick developed the plane tree (Platanenmuster) camouflage pattern by December of 1936.
Meanwhile, on March 1, 1936 the SS-Hauptsturmführer appointed Dr. Ing. Wilhelm (Wim) Brandt designed the guidelines for the individual equipment and clothing. Felix Steiner also collaborated with designing the Tarnjacke.[4] After the development phase, test runs were carried out with sample clothing.
From the middle of 1938, the first units were equipped with the camouflage garments.[5] The earliest use of the camouflaged M38 smocks in combat was during the Invasion of Poland.[6] It was also used in the Battle of Arras.[7]
The M38 Tarnjacke was modified slightly in 1940. The intended design of wearing the smock over the uniform and cartridge belt and reaching for ammunition through the chest openings was proven to be too effortful, so most troops just wore their gear outside the smock. After realizing that it was more practical to wear the gear outside the smock, a significant design changes were made in 1942 resulting in the M42 Tarnjacke.
Variants[]
M38[]
The first Tarnjacke introduced in 1938 and used during the Invasion of Poland. It is distinguished by the elasticized neck, a placket flap on the Fall side and a small reinforcement patch on the bottom of the neck opening on the Summer side.[8]
M40[]
The 1940 modification of the M38 Tarnjacke. The elastic neck band and the placket flap were removed and the placket itself was widened and simplified.[9]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30095611
- ↑ https://militariaplaza.nl/archive-38/waffen-ss-m38-palm-camouflage-smock-1697-detail
- ↑ http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7655783
- ↑ http://lescolverts.forumactif.org/t318p15-l-influence-du-camouflage-allemand-ww2-de-nos-jours
- ↑ https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flecktarn
- ↑ http://www.2kompanie.org/waffen-ss-camouflage.html
- ↑ https://battleforarras.weebly.com/ss-impression.html
- ↑ https://www.atthefrontshop.com/product_p/gusm38p.htm
- ↑ https://www.atthefrontshop.com/product_p/gusm40be.htm