East Germany's Early "Flower Pattern" Camouflage

Blumentarn, commonly known as the Flower Pattern, was one of the earliest camouflage patterns developed by East Germany following World War II. Although it served for only a relatively short period before being replaced by Strichtarn, Blumentarn represents an important chapter in the evolution of Cold War camouflage.

With its distinctive leaf-like shapes and soft organic appearance, Blumentarn reflected the influence of Germany's wartime camouflage research while establishing a visual identity for the newly formed National People's Army.

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Quick Facts

• Country of Origin: East Germany (German Democratic Republic)
• Introduced: Mid-1950s
• Primary User: National People's Army (NVA)
• Environment: Woodland and temperate European terrain
• Pattern Type: Organic leaf camouflage
• Status: Historic military camouflage

The Origins of Blumentarn

Following the establishment of East Germany in 1949, military planners sought a camouflage pattern that reflected lessons learned during World War II while meeting the needs of a modern Cold War army.

Rather than continuing the sharp geometric appearance of Splittertarn, designers created a softer camouflage composed of rounded shapes that resembled leaves and flower petals. These shapes eventually gave rise to the nickname "Blumentarn," meaning "Flower Camouflage."

Pattern Characteristics

Blumentarn uses overlapping organic forms arranged in a repeating pattern that creates a natural appearance when viewed at both close and moderate distances.

The classic color palette includes:

• Light Green
• Dark Green
• Brown
• Dark Brown
• Khaki Background

The pattern's flowing organic shapes helped reduce the visual outline of the wearer in forests, brush, and grassland.

Designed for Central European Terrain

Blumentarn was intended to perform in the landscapes common throughout East Germany, including:

• Mixed forests
• Woodland
• Grasslands
• Agricultural countryside
• Rolling hills

The balanced earth-tone palette made it effective across much of the growing season.

Military Service

Blumentarn was issued during the early years of the National People's Army and appeared primarily on:

• Combat uniforms
• Field jackets
• Trousers
• Protective garments

Although effective, the camouflage had a relatively short service life. During the 1960s it was gradually replaced by the simpler and more economical Strichtarn pattern, which became synonymous with the East German military throughout the Cold War.

Relationship to Strichtarn

Blumentarn and Strichtarn represent two distinct generations of East German camouflage.

Blumentarn emphasized natural organic forms inspired by vegetation, while Strichtarn adopted a minimalist design based on vertical rain-like streaks. Together, they illustrate the changing philosophy of camouflage development during the Cold War.

Collector Interest

Because Blumentarn remained in service for a relatively short period, original uniforms are considerably less common than later Strichtarn equipment. As a result, authentic examples are highly sought after by military collectors and historians specializing in East German military equipment.

Blumentarn at CAMO HQ

At CAMO HQ, Blumentarn represents an important transitional pattern in post-war camouflage history. It bridges Germany's wartime camouflage innovations with the military developments of the Cold War while preserving a little-known chapter in camouflage design.

Our Blumentarn-inspired collection honors this unique East German camouflage and the history it represents.

Did You Know?

• "Blumentarn" translates to "Flower Camouflage."
• It preceded the better-known Strichtarn Rain Pattern.
• Its rounded shapes were inspired by natural vegetation rather than geometric forms.
• Original Blumentarn uniforms are significantly rarer than Strichtarn uniforms.