The History of Flecktarn

Before World War II, the German Heeresversuchsamt: or Army Testing Office, began
researching new concealment techniques. This research was conducted in 1931. Throughout
the war, the Heeresversuchsamt and Waffen-SS introduced various camouflage designs,
including Erbsenmuster (“pea dot”) and Leibermuster, which laid the foundation for modern
camouflage expectations worldwide.
In the 1970s, the Bundeswehr (German Federal Defense Forces) initiated the Bundeswehr
Truppenversuch 76, or “Troop Trials 76,” to modernize its camouflage. After years of testing
different patterns in various environments, Flecktarn was selected as the most effective.
Officially adopted by the Bundeswehr in 1990, Flecktarn became the standard camouflage for
German military forces.
Flecktarn’s unique appearance is characterized by a series of small, irregular spots in five
colors: dark green, light green, black, red-brown, and tan. This design creates a disruptive effect
that helps soldiers blend into wooded and mixed environments, particularly in Central Europe.
The pattern’s small, scattered shapes prevent the human silhouette from standing out, making it
more difficult for the enemy to detect soldiers at varying distances.
Compared to earlier camouflage patterns that relied on larger, solid shapes, Flecktarn’s design
follows the principle of “mimicry,” resembling the natural randomness found in forests and other
environments. This concept later influenced digital camouflage patterns used by modern military
forces, such as the U.S. Army’s Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) and the Marine Corps’
MARPAT.
Since its introduction, Flecktarn has inspired numerous camouflage patterns around the world.
Countries such as Japan, China, and Russia have adopted similar designs or just straight-up
use Flecktarn, while others have modified Flecktarn to fit their specific geographic and
operational needs.
In recent years, Flecktarn has become a staple among surplus enthusiasts. Flecktarn has been
featured in several forms of media, including The Bourne Supremacy (2004), The Man in the
High Castle (2015–2019), Arma 3, Battlefield 4, Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), and
Squad, and can be found within third-party mods for Fallout 4 and Metal Gear Solid V: The
Phantom Pain.
Whether you’re a military history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, a gamer, or just someone who
appreciates random German shit, Flecktarn’s legacy has lived on for years and will likely
continue to hold its place inside the military surplus community.