User:L1A1 FAL/Rhodesian camouflage

Soldiers of the Rhodesian African Rifles wearing Rhodesian DPM, 1976

Rhodesian Disruptive Pattern Material (also variously called Rhodesian DPM, Rhodesian brushstroke, or simply Rhodesian camouflage) is a camouflage pattern which was originally developed in Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) during the 1960s. Based on British patterns such as that on the Denison smock, it was created for the uniforms of the Rhodesian Army, which used it throughout the Rhodesian Bush War (which escalated in 1972, and ended in 1979). The camouflage was replaced by a completely different pattern on Zimbabwe's internationally-recognised independence in 1980, when the Rhodesian Security Forces were superseded by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. The Zimbabwean military subsequently introduced a new camouflage strongly resembling Rhodesian DPM during the 1990s; this new camouflage remains in use today as Zimbabwe's standard-issue design.

Though only ever officially used by Rhodesia, and long out of use, Rhodesian DPM was one of over 100 camouflages evaluated by the United States Marine Corps in 2000, and was judged to be one of the world's best three patterns. The MARPAT camouflage pattern, used by the Marine Corps since 2002, blends elements from Rhodesian DPM with others from Canadian Disruptive Pattern and tigerstripe camouflage.

Development

The Denison smock pattern introduced by Britain in 1959. Camouflage designs such as this influenced the Rhodesian pattern.

Rhodesian DPM was derived from the camouflage pattern that was introduced on the British Armed Forces' Denison smock.

The Rhodesian pattern is a brushstroke-type camouflage pattern consisting of 3 colours and 4 shades. The uniforms were printed on khaki fabric, followed by a brown disruptive pattern. Over this, a green pattern was printed. This overlapped in some places with the brown and resulted in a fourth shade – a darker green.

Use

Rhodesian DPM was designed for the Rhodesian Army, which used it throughout the Rhodesian Bush War as its standard camouflage pattern. It was worn by all servicemen and women, and also issued to some members of the South African Police Counter-Insurgency Unit (SAPCOIN), which was deployed in Rhodesia from the late 1960s until August 1975. Between 1979 and 1980, the South African Defence Force loaned a detachment of about 1,000 volunteers to the Rhodesian Security Forces to help guard the country's south, particularly the railway line around Beitbridge. These men were largely integrated into the local forces, and some wore Rhodesian uniforms.

Users

• Rhodesia

• Issued to all members of the Rhodesian Security Forces as standard

• South Africa

• Issued to some members of the South African Police Counter-Insurgency Unit (SAPCOIN) during its time in Rhodesia
• Issued to some South African Defence Force troops loaned to the Rhodesian forces

Legacy

While developing a new camouflage uniform in the 2000, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) evaluated over 100 existing patterns, and judged Rhodesian DPM to be one of the three best patterns previously developed, along with Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) and tigerstripe pattern. An adapted version of the Rhodesian pattern was created for the USMC, but ultimately not adopted because "there was ... some feeling that the USMC deserved something more original and distinctive". The MARPAT (Marine Pattern) digital camouflage eventually introduced by the Marine Corps in 2002 remains in use today, and blends elements from all three camouflages.