Air Fronts: Air Defense FM 5-20F; Camouflage of Antiaircraft Artillery - 3. Use of natural Materials

Usually a high degree of obscurity is the most that can be expected from even the best choice of position; for complete concealment, additional work is almost always necessary.

Natural materials which are available in the vicinity of an installation can play a large part in blending an installation with its back-ground, when they are correctly used. With them, it is possible to match quickly and exactly the texture and color of the surroundings.

Cut foliage must always be arranged in its normal growing position. In general it is not suitable for positions to be occupied for extended periods because, under average conditions, it must be replaced as soon as it begins to wither, and constant replacement is a real problem of supply and camouflage discipline.

FIGURE 24 (a) and (b).—A simple form of camouflage cover for an AA machine gun, used successfully in the tropics. A bamboo frame is covered with woven grass, as shown. It can be thrown aside quickly.

FIGURE 25 (1).—Close-up of a false hedge made of brush, concealing two guns of an AA battery. Brush is laid over wheel tracks made when guns were moved into position.

(2).—Position as it would be seen by a low-flying enemy plane. Although the use of natural materials is effective here, existing hedgerows in the vicinity could have been used for better choice of position.

FIGURE 26.-Height finder camouflaged with cut foliage, tufts of grass, and smalI pine trees arranged in and around emplacement. Trees can be thrown aside at a moment's notice to permit free operation of height finder.

FIGURE 27.-A searchlight concealed in a false native hut simulated with bamboo and swamp grass. Troops working with unfamiliar materials will save time and unnecessary experimenting if they first study methods used by natives who are familiar with the materials.

FIGURE 28.-Palm fronds and cut foliage form a cover for a power truck. Bamboo poles support a folding canopy which may be brought forward to conceal side of truck.

FIGURE 29.-A simple cover for an emplaced director. Made of saplings, strips of burlap, and screened with foliage found in vicinity, it is light enough to be thrown aside quickly, uncovering director for immediate action. Parapet of emplacement is well concealed with local grass.

FIGURE 30.-A power plant emplaced in a thinly wooded area. Insufficient overhead cover above the center of emplacement is supplemented by cut foliage suspended on wires strung from posts. Parapet is toned down with grass and pine branches.