DAK Camouflage Schemes

On 25 March 1942 the Army High Command issued an order (HM 1942, no. 315) that specified a new camouflage scheme for all units serving in North Africa.  A darker shade of color designated "brown" (RAL 8020) was intended to replace the "yellow-brown" used previously.  In place of "grey-green" a standard equipment color called "dark grey" (RAL 7027) was used.  The change in these paint formulas provides an adequate understanding as to why so many camouflaged helmets appear different from one another.  The intermixing of various paint colors as well as camouflage schemes was abundant.  During the North African Campaign the Germans captured vast amounts of British equipment.  Unit records indicate that British vehicle paint was typically used in place of German paint when needed.  One can assume that some helmets camouflaged in North Africa were given a coat of British paint.  The same might be true when one considers that Italian paint was used under similar circumstances.  When applied, the paint was sometimes mixed with sand.  However in most cases it appears the paint was applied straight from the can using the application methods outlined in the section entitled Application Techniques.  In many cases the decal was painted around although most helmets show the decal being completely covered by the camouflage paint.

See a Photo of a Typical DAK Heer Helmet

Luftwaffe prisoners captured in Tunisia wear double decal M1935 helmets over painted in desert tan.  The national shield decals have been painted around as noted in the photograph.

Camouflage Paint Main

Application Techniques

DAK Camouflage Schemes

Normandie Camouflage Schemes

Period Photos of Camouflaged Helmets

Photo Gallery of Camouflaged Helmets

Cloth Helmet Covers

Helmet Netting

Wire Configurations

An M1935 Luftwaffe double decal helmet similar to those seen in the photo at left.

The right side of the same helmet bearing the Luftwaffe eagle decal.