The Waffen-SS Reversible Camouflage Smock Model 1942 in Platanenmuster (Plane Tree or Sycamore pattern) represents a significant milestone in the history of military camouflage. This reversible smock was produced between 1942 and 1944 in factories throughout Germany and embodies the evolution of SS camouflage clothing, which was among the most innovative of its time.
The development of Waffen-SS camouflage patterns traces back to Johann Georg Otto Schick, a Munich art professor and director of the German camouflage research unit. At the request of SS Major Wim Brandt, Schick researched the effect of light on trees in summer and autumn, leading to the concept of reversible camouflage clothing. In 1937, patterns were field tested by the SS-VT Deutschland regiment, with an estimate they would cut casualties by 15 percent. In 1938, a reversible helmet cover, smock, and sniper's face mask were patented for the Waffen-SS.
The Platanenmuster, named after the Platanaceae species (sycamore or plane tree), was the first dotted camouflage pattern used by the Waffen-SS. Introduced in 1937-1938, it was produced through 1942-1943. The name refers to the characteristic bark of plane trees, whose appearance inspired the pattern. Production of the original Platanen pattern ended by 1942, though surplus cloth continued to be used probably until 1944.
The Model 1942 represented an improvement over the M40, which had been designed to be worn over equipment but proved impractical. The M42 was designed to be worn over the wool field tunic but under webbing equipment and was used primarily by infantry units. The smock featured two lower hip pockets with curved pocket flaps (Type II variant), foliage loops on shoulders and back, a drawstring chest closure with woven dark green band, and elastic cords at waist and sleeve cuffs.
Production began in November 1938 by Warei, Forster, and Joring companies. Initially hand-printed, machine printing took over by June 1940. Early smocks were made from waterproof cotton duck (Zeltbahn-type material). When this high-quality material ran out in January 1943, it was replaced by non-waterproof cotton drill cloth. Pocket liners were made from dark green Drillich material, and buttons were embossed sheet metal in Zeltbahn style.
The reversible design allowed adaptation to different seasons: one side with green predominant coloring for spring and summer, the other with brown predominant coloring for autumn and winter. Platanenmuster variations were sometimes numbered 1 through 6 to denote different printing screens.
The M42 smock was used by various Waffen-SS divisions from 1942 to 1944. Photographic evidence shows extensive use by the SS-Totenkopf Division and other frontline SS units. The pattern was widely used through summer 1944, including during the Normandy campaign. Although the M42 was officially replaced in production by the Erbsenmuster (Pea Dot pattern) uniform in 1944, it remained in widespread usage among SS infantrymen until the very end of the war in 1945.
By June 1940, 33,000 smocks were made for the Waffen-SS (all patterns combined). Initial hand-printing limited deliveries to only 8,400 groundsheets, 6,800 helmet covers, and a small number of smocks by January 1939. Post-war, the Platanenmuster and other German WWII camouflage patterns influenced designs in Eastern Bloc militaries and early Bundeswehr patterns, as well as the US ERDL pattern.
