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| Strichtarn | |
|---|---|
 Fabric sample of Strichtarn | |
| Type | Military camouflage pattern |
| Place of origin |  East Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1965–1990 |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | Rhodesian Bush War South African Border War Angolan Civil War Yugoslav Wars |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 1965–1990 |
Strichtarn (English:"Line Camouflage")[1] was amilitary camouflage pattern developed inEast Germany and used from 1965 to 1990.[2] The pattern was also used by several other militaries and non-state forces, notably in Africa.
The Strichtarn was adopted by East Germany in 1965 in service with theNational People's Army (NVA) to replace the Flächentarn, also called Blumentarn, which had been adopted in 1958. The NVA decided to adopt a new camouflage pattern in order to address problems with East German forces appearing too similar to those of the Soviet Army. In East German service, the new pattern was known as "Kampfanzug 64". (English:"Combat Suit 64").[3] The pattern very closely resembles the Czechoslovak Rain Pattern, which itself borrowed fromWehrmacht-era patterns.
The practical effectiveness of Strichtarn is borderline at best, when compared against BritishDisruptive Pattern Material or US military's M81BDU in the same environment. The new uniform patterns were issued to the NVA during the late 1960s, and were later supplied in large numbers to communist movements throughout Africa.
East Germany also supplied Strichtarn in large amounts to communist guerrilla movements throughout Africa, where it was known as "rice fleck" camouflage.[citation needed]
Strichtarn was designed with broken vertical red-brown lines on a grey-green field, which was also known as the raindrop pattern.[1][2] The patterns made for the Strichtarn consisted of Type 1, which was made from 1965 to 1967,[2] and the Type 2, which was made from 1967 to 1990.[2]
The pattern is also seen as helmet covering for theM56 helmet.[citation needed]
Poland: The Polish Army was the first to adopt a Strichtarn-like pattern known as Wz.58 "Deszczyk" (rain) in 1958, first issued to airborne units.[4] The camouflage pattern was then issued to other parts of the armed forces and remained in use into the 1970s before being replaced byWz. 68 "Moro".
Czechoslovakia: Strichtarn was adopted as the vz. 60 "Jehličí" (needles) by Czechoslovakian forces; the Czechoslovak version differs by having a two-tone background.[5] East Germany: East Germany adopted Strichtarn in 1965.[6][7]
Argentina: In the 1990/ the Argentine Army acquired surplus stocks of Strichtarn uniforms, using them as a garrison/fatigue uniforms. It was phased out by the early 2000s.[citation needed]
Croatia: Numerous Strichtarn variants were used by Croatian forces during theYugoslav Wars.[1] Most were acquired as surplus gear alongside M56/76 helmets and used until 1992,[8] when Strichtarn-based clothing supplies ran out.[9]
Estonia: Used by theEstonian Defence League in the 1990s after the Cold War.[10]
Kazakhstan[citation needed]
Kyrgyzstan: Acquired surplus Strichtarn for the Kyrgyz military during the 1990s.[11]
Rhodesia:ZANU andZAPU wore locally made Strichtarn uniforms produced from East German supplied fabric. It was known locally as "Rice fleck".[12]
Rwanda[12]
South Africa: TheSouth African Defence Force used the pattern.[2] Clones were made forSouth African Special Forces operators during theSouth African Border War.[13]
Uzbekistan: Strichtarn camouflage uniforms and fabric were used by Airborne and Special Task Force personnel from approximately 2002–2006.[14]{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)[page needed]
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