The world's first standard camouflage uniform

Nov 12, 2024

Printed fabric hidden target

Italy has a long military tradition of using printed fabrics to hide targets.

Although many countries experimented with different camouflage camouflage schemes during World War I, Italy was the only country to mass-produce camouflage clothing for military use, with all-white uniforms distributed to Alpine troops and continued to be used until after World War II.

In 1929, the Italians invented the art of spreading printing, creating the world's earliest camouflage printing fabric.

Named Telo Mimetico M29, this fabric is printed with an amoeba-like pattern composed of ochre base colors plus brown and light green. It is the first standardized camouflage pattern printed on textiles and is the ancestor of all modern camouflage.

Square tent cloth

At first, this camouflage calico was made into a 70.87 x 70.87 inch square tent cloth with a masking opening in the middle, which was used as a poncho when it rained; or a rope attached to the edge was tied to the trunk wall and other places to make a semi-canopy, or multiple pieces of tent cloth could be buckled together to form a larger tent.

The early Telo Mimetico M29 was single-sided (the other

side of the fabric was brown), so it could not be used on

both sides due to seasonal changes. However, by the end

of 1929 it had become a standard camouflage item for the

elite Italian troops.

The Evolution of Camouflage Patterns

Before the outbreak of World War II, this camouflage pattern was modified, scaled down and slightly compressed vertically, probably to accommodate small roll printing, but otherwise maintained the shape and color of the first production.

During World War II, this camouflage pattern was mainly available in three colors: chocolate brown, green or gray-green, yellow or ochre, and the brown patches were mostly distributed over the patches and edges.

1942 Paracadutisti

In 1938, the Telo Mimetico M29 was used to make smocks (considered the first mass-produced and officially equipped camouflage uniforms in the world) for Italian paratroopers.

World War II Italian paratroopers camouflage smock

1942

Italian SS Volunteers of World War II

Before 1943, it became the uniform of the Italian Royal Army, and after 1943, it became the uniform of the Italian Marines and Airborne Corps.

After World War II, the color of the Telo Mimetico M29 was changed to reddish-brown, blue or teal, yellow or ochre.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Telo Mimetico M29 was modified several times and was available in at least three shades.

Among them, the Army (Esercito) version is slightly condensed in shape on the basis of the original version, and the color scheme is to add auburn or reddish brown and ochre in the olive green base color; in addition to the general tent cloth, infantry caps and parachute uniforms are also produced in this camouflage mode.