West German Kampfanzug Hoods

[Gordon Craig]

Gents,
Since the regulations of the BW referes to this camo pattern as Kampfanzug I thought that I would stick with that designation. Perhaps someone call tell us if the BW collectors in Germany call this type of camouflage clothing.
In order of difficulty, I would say acquiring, a jacket, trousers and hood would be in that order. I bought a jacket very early in my time as a BW collector and it took years to get a pair of trousers and then forever to get a hood for the jacket. The hood I bought first was the standard type you would find on most winter coats and it fastened to the coat under the collar and had two buttons at the front to close it around the throat and some of the chin depending on the wearers size. Mine is in storage but here is a picture of a hood I saw on auction recently but did not buy it as I already have one.

[Gordon Craig]

Now on to the one I did buy this weekend. This is a different style of hood in that it does not attach to the tunic. It has an extension on the bottom on the hood that fits inside the tunic and over the shoulders. Probably gives better wind protection this way.

[Gordon Craig]

A view of the inside of the hood.

Regards,

Gordon

[Uncle Kurt]

It´s BGS ca. 1950

[Gordon Craig]

Kurt,

Thanks for the info. I kind of expected that.

Regards,

Gordon

[sgtdorango]

Those are some nice hoods!!.......mike

[Bernhard]

Like them too , especially the one with the name tag !!

Regards

Bernhard

[sgtdorango]

Yes the one with the tag is especially nice!....I have a few similar hoods and have always liked them, they are getting harder to find these days......mike

[Viktor]

If you fold then right they make a Good Helmet Cover, Genossen..

[Gordon Craig]

Yes the one with the tag is especially nice!....I have a few similar hoods and have always liked them, they are getting harder to find these days......mike

Mike,

If you have any that are different than the ones already posted I would appreciate it if you would post pictures of yours for our reference purposes.

Regards,

Gordon

[sgtdorango]

Hi, looks like I have the same ones and the other one Im not sure if its east or west, posted it a while back but forgot what was said about it and what type of camo it is......mike

[Klaus1989]

sgt. dorango:
I can identify. All are West German from 1950s. From left to right: BW Amoebatarn, BGS Splittertarn and BW Splittertarn. Amoebatarn one I think doubled as tent bag but not sure.

Like Viktor said with BW version, the BGS hoods were also used as camo helmet covers in early-mid 1950s.

regards
Klaus

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus,

Interesting comments from you and Victor about the hoods being used as helmet covers in the 50s. I guess I need some more hoods! I also need to add an Amoebatarn one to my collection. First one of these that I have seen.

Regards,

Gordon

[Bernhard]

Interresting as ever !

From my limited knowledge it seems to me that the Amoebia hood also
was used as a bag to transport the tent ?
I think I have seen such a feature on swiss tents before ???

I have a very nice Amoebia tent half coming in , so I want to know about the hood.


Here for your information a very nice pic fromthe LIFE collection dated 1959: Could be hoods they are wearing.


Regards

Bernhard

[Gene T]

Amoeba Hoods

Here is a side by side comparison of the hood/carriers and Zeltbahnen in question from Switzerland, Belgium and BW:




The Swiss example (dated '61, made by A. Fink) is very similar, but not identical to the German and Belgian versions. However, other than the obvious camo pattern difference, the BW and ABL examples are constructed in exactly the same way. In fact, these two specific units are made by the same German contractor (L. Stromeyer GmbH in Konstanz, which happens to be right on the Swiss border), during the same year (1956), probably using the same raw materials, patterns, and equipment.




I've also noticed that some of the Amoeba hood/carriers have the spring colors on the outside (where the belt loops and closure buttons are located), while others have the fall colors on the outside. Certain examples also have very faint black "branch" overprint (the unit on the right), giving them a much 'lighter' or 'sparser' appearance compared to those with normal overprints.




cheers,
Gene T