Military camouflage originated as a defence mechanism for soldiers. The aim is to enable soldiers to hide from enemies by blending into their surroundings. The first military camouflage unit was created by the French army during the First World War in 1915.
ERDL camouflage pattern
It was created by the US Army in 1948 in the engineer’s research and development laboratories. It was not until the Vietnam War that reconnaissance troops and special operations forces used it. This camouflage pattern was presented in three versions: the Lime/ERDL, or LOWLAND, version based on green tones; the Brown/ERDL, or HIGHLAND, version based on brown tones; and the Delta/ERDL version based on thicker, more diffuse black and brown spots. The use of this uniform was extended, especially towards the end of the Vietnam War. In Germany, the 1st Battalion and 13th Infantry Regiment used the ERDL/Leaf pattern.
Currently, the camouflage patterns known as Woodland are actually derived from the ERDL camouflage pattern.
An experimental version of this camouflage pattern was created under the name Brown ERDL and consists of using more brown, and its name is RDF. This type of camouflage pattern was used for a short period of time due to the limited protection it provided to the user, as highlighted in Iran by Operation Eagle Claw in 1980. Despite the setbacks of the latest derivation of ERDL camouflage, the lessons learned were incorporated into what would become the definitive camouflage pattern for the United States Armed Forces, the Woodland or M-81 camouflage pattern. At the same time, the EDR cut pattern, or battle dress uniform, was implemented.
Woodland M81 (EDR)
Starting in 1981, the Woodland camouflage pattern was used by American soldiers in the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy. There is also a derivative of the Woodland camouflage pattern called Urban, designed for snowy forest environments. However, it has not been used extensively.
Combat uniform
Between 1980 and 1990, the United States Armed Forces used this camouflage pattern in arid environments. In the Gulf War, American soldiers wore uniforms with this camouflage. This uniform uses chocolate chip camouflage patterns and a six-colour desert pattern. The pattern consists of a light brown base, wide bands of pale olive green, and bands of two types of brown. There are also groups of black words on white that simulate the appearance of rocks. Currently, the United States Armed Forces no longer use the Desert Combat Uniform camouflage pattern, but other armies around the world still use it.
The Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU)
This camouflage pattern is similar to the ceremonial camouflage pattern used by the United States Armed Forces. The main difference lies in the colours used in the camouflage uniform. Desert: dark brown, mint green, and beige.
Woodland disruptive pattern material
This camouflage system is widely used by the UK armed forces and other national armies, particularly in countries that were formerly British colonies. The Desert Camouflage Uniform camouflage pattern has two variants. One consists of four colours for forests and another version for the desert based on between two and four colours.
Tiger Stripe Camouflage Pattern
This camouflage pattern actually comprises a group of camouflage patterns that were developed to conceal the wearer at short distances in the jungle. This pattern is constructed from thin green and brown stripes and black spots printed in light shades of olive green or khaki. It is believed that there are at least 19 versions of this camouflage pattern.