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   …Alright back to the zeltbahn. The Splinter camouflage was standard issue. It was also made and in use by Germanys allies. An example is the Italian camouflage that was given or taken by some German soldatens. In 1943 after Italy surrender to the Allies, German troop were rushed to Italy for occupation. German troops then started to disarm Italian troops and relieve them of their zelts. This is how the Wehrmacht got the Italian camouflage.

The zeltbahn measures 250 X 200 X 200 cm (Deutsche Soldaten). Along the edges are found button and button holes. At the end of the corners are larger holes reinforced by a medal ring for the use of tent poles. The purpose of all this is to be able to attach one zeltbahn to another. Each soldaten would career one, a pouch which contained a rope, two pegs, and 1 tent pole.

Example of what a Soldaten would carry in Zeltbahn pack

“Complete Zeltausrüstung 31 as defined by the HDV 1932, N° 205/1 from April 20th, 1932:

Zeltbahn 31 (rolled according to regulation) here fitted with two equipment straps (either web & leather) used for the Sturmgepäck 38 (Zeltbahn strapped to the belt).

Zeltleine 1892 (2 meters black string)

Zeltstock 1901(one pole)

2 Zeltplföcken (here the Bakelite variant) with strings”

By Jean-Philippe Borg