A few questions about the BW Zeltbahn

[Von Sarsa]

Hi to everyone, I am new to this page and I have a few questions about the modern BW Zeltbahn.
Does somebody have or know where i can download a manual of this Zeltbahn?
I also would like to know how it is suposed to be carried, maybe attached to the Koppeltragegestell system?
Somebody have photos to share of BW soldiers wearing or carrying the Zeltbahn?
Thanks in advance and sorry for my bad english.

[Guardian 5]

Von Sarsa - Welcome to the forum!

There are lots of field gear fanatics on the forum; me being one of them.

We could better answer your question on the Zeltbahn with some more specific information. A picture is always very helpful.

What type of zelt do you have; Flecktarn, desert, "oliv", Amoeba? Generally, the Bundeswehr favors internally stowing the zeltbahn inside of the large combat pack or rucksack. As they are mainly a mechanized force, the rucks and zelts usually stay on the vehicle.

While their counterparts in the DDR were also primarily a mechanized force, their regulations did call for the the zeltbahn to be rolled and strapped to the exterior of the battle pack. There is a recent thread about this subject on the DDR forum.

In any event, welcome to the forum. With more information, our experts will be able to better help you with your question. We are proud to have Bundeswehr veterans from the 1950s to the present as active and helpful members of our forum. We all look forward to hearing from you again soon.

All the best - TJ

[Von Sarsa]

Hi thanks for your answer. The Zeltbahn in question is the new trapezoidal model in Flecktarn. So it is carried inside the rucksack then? I thought that maybe it can be tied to the Koppeltragegestell system or something like that. Later or tomorrow I will upload some pictures of it, cause I would also like to know how it is supposed to be wrapped in the haube/carry bag.

I knew that of the NVA, they carried their zeltbahnen in a more traditional way; it makes sense that what you say, in modern warfare where you never stay so long far away from your base of operations or transport you may not need to carry too much equipment, but in case of long marching it has to be good to keep at hand such a usefull and simple item like the zeltbahn.

Thanks again for the information.

[cammobunker]

I understand that the old "dachshund garage" is considered a nearly useless piece of gear by most BW soldiers. It's not all that useful as a tent, since as was pointed out most BW is motorized and their vehicles are better shelters. It's only marginally waterproof; standard practice when using it is to put rain ponchos over it to keep the water out. ALthough set up as a Zelt-style rain poncho itself, it doesn't work all that well. The Gore-Tex rainsuit issued to every BW soldat is much, much better. Primary use seems to be as a camouflage tarp, as a shade, or as a backdrop for cool pictures..

[Von Sarsa]

So it is no waterproof at all. I have three of them but honestly I've never tried them under rain.
But I must say that is a good clothe for camouflage, and although the shape is diferent, with the Flecktarn pattern it looks a bit like the ones used by the Waffen SS.
And you are right, the gore-tex rainsuit is better, it is used also as winter clothing.
But anyway, I will still apreciate some information about the uses, configurations and carrying of the zeltbahn.

[jonni]

OK, it is not a high-end tent – but during my service in the Bundeswehr I have learned to love the comfort of my „Dackelgarage“, especially in cold and wet December of 1990…

[Towarish]

Hi there,
to make it short:
- It's not a high-end piece of equipment but it get's the job done.

- to make the "Dackelgarage" "water/rain proof" you strain your NBC rubberised poncho over it.

- you are still able to us the Zeltbahn as a poncho

- you can make a hood out of the packing bag.

Cheers,
Philipp

[Proud Kraut]

I agree with Philipp. I have used it several times for my "Zeltbahnpaket" as well.

Lars

[Towarish]

I agree with Philipp. I have used it several times for my "Zeltbahnpaket" as well.

Lars

Hello Lars,

great that you have mentioned the "Zeltbahnpaket"
I've totally missed to it.

MkG
Philipp