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German Waffen SS Officer in Greatcoat and Smock, 1941-45

This Waffen SS officer wears the distinctive reversible camouflage helmet cover and smock specifically designed for that organization in the Platanenmuster (Plane tree) pattern. The colors and patterns were printed on a plain weave linen/rayon fabric with predominantly autumn colors on one side and summer/spring colors on the other. The several different combinations of coloring and shapes were developed after extensive studies were carried out by Johan Georg Otto Schick in the late 1930s. Normally these patterns simulated leaf-like forms with rounded dots or irregular shapes simulating the light falling through a canopy of trees. It was a very modern and effective form of camouflage clothing as long as the soldiers were in a static position. In addition to the reversible helmet cover and pull over smock, a water repellent shelter quarter called a Zeltbahn was also widely issued.