Austria

Dot (aka "Spot")

Official Name
Kampfanzug 57

Years Used
1957 - 1976 (limited use after)

Used By
Army

Known Items

Various 4 Pocket Parkas, 2 Pocket Jackets, and Overpants. Also Shovel Cover, Canteen Cover, Gasmask Case, Breadbag, Small Backpack, and Large Backpack.

Notes

Influenced by certain WWII Waffen SS patterns, Austrian Dot pattern uniforms were issued to the Army starting in the 1957 under the official designation Kampfanzug 57. Initially the uniform was to be used only "in the field" and not for general use. This changed over time so that in the 1970s it was common to see soldiers wearing it pretty much full time. It is made of a VERY heavy duty cotton that must have been horrible to wear as an oversuit in Summer months.
In 1975 K57 pattern was replaced with Kampfanzug 75, a monocolor olive drab uniform. However, K57 was in use with reservists into the 1990s and is still used today for Snipers and OPFOR ("enemy" units in wargames). Interestingly, production ended sometime after 1975 (I have a set of pants dated 1976), perhaps due to contractual obligations with manufacturers. Unfortunately, a new Austrian camo pattern was killed off during trials (I think they used "off the shelf" patterns, including US M/81) and instead went with the same monocolor as the K75. The new uniform for field use is designated Kampfanzug neu (KAZ neu) and is likely to be in full use by the end of 2004. This makes Austria one of the few nations to go from a camouflage uniform to monocolor and probably the only one to introduce a new monocolor uniform post 1980 for field use. Still, various foreign helmet covers (US is common, with Hungarian also seen) are worn through private purchase and with some Special Forces type units.

Extra Info
None at this time

**Dot (aka "Spot")**
Official Name	Kampfanzug 57
Years Used	1957 - 1976 (limited use after)
Used By	Army
Known Items	Various 4 Pocket Parkas, 2 Pocket Jackets, and Overpants. Also Shovel Cover, Canteen Cover, Gasmask Case, Breadbag, Small Backpack, and Large Backpack.
Notes	Influenced by certain WWII Waffen SS patterns, Austrian Dot pattern uniforms were issued to the Army starting in the 1957 under the official designation Kampfanzug 57. Initially the uniform was to be used only "in the field" and not for general use. This changed over time so that in the 1970s it was common to see soldiers wearing it pretty much full time. It is made of a VERY heavy duty cotton that must have been horrible to wear as an oversuit in Summer months. In 1975 K57 pattern was replaced with Kampfanzug 75, a monocolor olive drab uniform. However, K57 was in use with reservists into the 1990s and is still used today for Snipers and OPFOR ("enemy" units in wargames). Interestingly, production ended sometime after 1975 (I have a set of pants dated 1976), perhaps due to contractual obligations with manufacturers. Unfortunately, a new Austrian camo pattern was killed off during trials (I think they used "off the shelf" patterns, including US M/81) and instead went with the same monocolor as the K75. The new uniform for field use is designated Kampfanzug neu (KAZ neu) and is likely to be in full use by the end of 2004. This makes Austria one of the few nations to go from a camouflage uniform to monocolor and probably the only one to introduce a new monocolor uniform post 1980 for field use. Still, various foreign helmet covers (US is common, with Hungarian also seen) are worn through private purchase and with some Special Forces type units.
Extra Info	None at this time

Dot (aka "Spot")

Official Name
(?)

Years Used
(?) - 1975 (?)

Used By
Army

Known Items

Shelter Quarter. Semi-official M43 cap and helmet cover

Notes

The above pics show the two sides of the Austrian shelter quarter. The "reverse" side shows an interesting version of WWII Splittermuster/Sumpfmuster in pale colors. The only item made with this is the shelter quarter. However, shelter quarters were cut up and made into M43 style caps (dot side out, not reversible) and reversible helmet covers. Although not official issue, these last two items were never-the-less made by various Army unit tailors and worn unofficially. The helmet covers were still worn well into the 1990s before the adoption of the current issue Kevlar helmet.

Extra Info
None at this time

Official Name	(?)
Years Used	(?) - 1975 (?)
Used By	Army
Known Items	Shelter Quarter. Semi-official M43 cap and helmet cover
Notes	The above pics show the two sides of the Austrian shelter quarter. The "reverse" side shows an interesting version of WWII Splittermuster/Sumpfmuster in pale colors. The only item made with this is the shelter quarter. However, shelter quarters were cut up and made into M43 style caps (dot side out, not reversible) and reversible helmet covers. Although not official issue, these last two items were never-the-less made by various Army unit tailors and worn unofficially. The helmet covers were still worn well into the 1990s before the adoption of the current issue Kevlar helmet.
Extra Info	None at this time