Plane Tree or Oak Leaf?

Does anyone know which camo pattern used by the Waffen SS was more common on the battle field, Plane Tree or Oak Leaf?

 

oak leaf, I believe was the predominant cover..

 

Hello

I think you need to specify the time period before you can say which one was more predominant.

If you are referring to W-SS smocks the patterns would be as follows;

Early War - The first patterns to appear were the block, palm and plane tree. Both the Block pattern and the Palm were dropped early on. Only the Plane Tree pattern continued. Plane Tree had a total of 5 different patterns and you can find it marked with a number 1 thru 5. These were the type 1 pattern smocks

Mid War - Plane Tree continues along with the Blurred Edge pattern. Blurred Edge is nothing more than Plane Tree with the edges blurred to make a softer pattern and evolved from Plane Tree. The base camo pattern for both these is the "Oak" pattern with black over-printed on top. Both type 1 and the later type 2 smocks were printed using these two patterns.

Late War - This is where the last smocks were made using the Oak pattern without the overprint of black. Smocks are phased out in favor of the "Dot" pattern printed on tunic/pant sets.

Of course this is a general progression and exceptions were around as the Germans did not waste anything.

If you look at the 12th SS when in Normandy, June 1944 you will see several different types of camo in use.

In looking at pics of the unit it appears they were mainly issued early type 1 Palm smocks (I presume from stocks that had been earlier stored away), Blurred Edge type 2 smocks and the Tunic/Pant Dot suits.
You also see some Plane Tree smocks and Italian camo pants, kombi's as well.

Best regards, fischer

 

depends on what stocks are in hand at the time period. which oak leaf pattern as well fall or ? remember the 12th SS given Italien camo smocks as the country had surrendered the SS unit and Fallshirm units, Kriegsmarine were given overstock supplies of the camo for pants, jackets.

smocks are turned out in late 44-45 for camo tunics if you will, more damage resistant, will hold the intense colours longer

 

All smocks are made reversible...Fall or brown on one side with Spring or Green on the other.

The Italian camo material was brought back from Italy in 1943 by the 1st SS LSSAH. In the 12th SS Italian Camo was used to make Tunics for Officers, Kombi's, Pants, Panzer tunics and trousers and German pattern zelts. Waffen SS pattern smocks were never made from Italian camo material.

Other Luft and Heer units did use some Italian camo but the majority is seen being utilized by the 12th.

Like I stated in my earlier post...My list was a general progression of the time frame when these patterns were produced. The reason I used the 12th as an example was to show later in the war, what was on hand would be utilized.

If you take the the years of 1940 - 1941 the camo pattern in use for France, Greece and early Russia is the Palm and Plane Tree.
You will not find any smocks made in the Oak pattern.

Best Regards, fischer

 

limited quantities of white and reverse spring

correct not smocks but tunics. an yes quite a bit of the materials was used by the LW for Fallschirmtruppen while fighting in Italy

 

Would you have any idea of what kind of smock they would be wearing if it was 1944 on the Eastern Front?

 

I would suggest a Model 42 or Type 2 smock in either Blurred Edge or Plane Tree/Overprint pattern.

It would also help to know which unit you are portraying.

Here are some examples...first is the Blurred Edge.

Best Regards, fischer

 

I'm not trying to portray any particular unit yet. I'm just wondering what smock to get since there are so many different variants.