Military camouflage

Military camouflage is a type of clothing, fabric covering, or painted pattern used by militaries and armies to make it harder to see soldiers and weapons such as artillery guns and military vehicles. Camouflage clothes, fabric coverings, and paint use a colored pattern of several colors that is designed to blend in with the surroundings. Camouflage patterns are also used for hunting clothes.

 Types of camouflage patterns 

Camouflage patterns used in desert areas, are beige and light brown. Camouflage patterns used in forested areas, mix different green and brown colors. Camouflage patterns used in urban areas mix grey, white, and black colors. Camouflage for snowy areas use white colors to blend in with the snow.

 History 
Camouflage became an important part of modern military tactics when the accuracy of rifles and cannons improved at the end of the 1800s. But armies continued to use bright colours and designs until the 20th century. During World War II camouflage became a common feature in military uniforms. As well, many military vehicles such as planes and trucks were painted with camouflage patterns.

Different countries use different types of military camouflage patterns.

References
Alan Raven - The Development of Naval Camouflage 1914 – 1945
Roy R. Behrens - Art and Camouflage: An Annotated Bibliography 
U.S. Army manual FM 21-76 on camouflage 
Guy Hartcup - Camouflage: A History of Concealment and Deception in War (1980)
WWII War Department Field Manual FM 5-20B: Camouflage of Vehicles (1944)

History of British Military Uniforms. 

Other websites

Henrik Clausen 
Kamouflage.net
Crye Precision's Multicam multi-environment pattern
Roggenwolf digital camouflage 
Hyperstealth Biotechnology fractal camouflage

Category:Military uniform