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Above is an example of the 1950's Moon & Balls camo. Until very recently only Paras and Para Commandos were issued camouflage uniforms. The smock is made out of a heavy cotton while the pants are made of a very tough canvas like material. This was the second pattern of Belgian camo issued, with the first being the small issue of 1948 for Belgium's battalion fighting in Korea.

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What will likely surprise even the most advanced camo collector is the number of distinctly different Brush patterns and how VERY closely related they are to Moon & Balls. Not only that, but they were all issued for a fairly short time and almost totally concurrently! The differences are so slight that anybody who has an item in this pattern should go grab it and see what pattern it is. You might be surprised by the answer :-) Click on the image directly above to see the differences between each.

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The unique Jigsaw (aka Puzzle) pattern was actually introduced at the same time as the various Brush variants. These two patterns coexisted for nearly 20 years, but always only for Paras and Para Commandos. Initially the uniform was issued in the same heavy canvas like material as the other Belgian uniforms of the day, but was later changed to various other softer materials. There is some evidence to suggest that the Brush patterns were intended for use in Africa and Jigsaw for Europe, but this is unconfirmed. The picture above is from the back of an unissued 1958 dated jacket.

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Sometime in the early 1970s, or perhaps late 1960s, the Jigsaw uniform changed a little bit. The colors remained nearly the same (a tad bit darker) but the smock's construction was significantly altered. The major change was the cloth, which was changed to a very heavy cotton twill, although the actual construction was also changed slightly. The smocks were used with either old 1958 heavy canvas trousers or reguar OG cotton trousers. In 1970 to about 1976 Commandos had an 8 pocket poplin trousers to wear, but this was extremely limited issue and few survive today due to their thin material and overly long use in service. Alternatively, the regular "Jungle" poplin trousers were also used.

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Belgium has a long history of involvement in Africa, first as a colonial power and later in a more benevolent role similar to the French and British. Because of the warm climate, the Belgian Army started to issue a very light poplin Jungle Jigsaw uniform consisting of 2 pocket shirt, pants, and hat. This uniform appears to have been issued during the 1980s and 1990s, but is now out of service and quite difficult to obtain. Due to its light nature, and limited issue, there weren't a lot of these left over to hit the surplus market. I managed to snag a couple of these, including a never issued trial pattern set of pants (complete with red thread!).

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In the early 1990s the Belgians decided it was time for a universal camouflage uniform for all of its armed forces. Several trials were conducted around 1995 to produce a new uniform. The original piece, a 4 pocket jacket (without beavertail) was produced in very small quantities to replace the long time "Dennison" style smock used by the Para/Commandos since the early 1950s.

Around 1995 Most importantly, the colors were changed slightly for the first time since adoption to be more pastel in tone. This uniform is made out of a heavy, but breathable, ripstop fabric which makes it far better adapted for the wide range of climates operated in. The standard outfit is a 4 pocket jacket, pants, and cap or boonie. However, a completely redesigned jump smock and pants in a very smooth thick cotton material are also available as additional issue for Paras and Para Commandos. A special designed Para Commando Sniper Smock also exists, but only 100 were made Also for the first time equipment, like shelter/poncho, frag vest, holster, ammo pouches, gasmask bag, rucksack, etc. are made in this new coloration. There is also a Gortex jacket, pants, and ballcap set in slightly more "traditional" coloration.

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The first pattern ripstop rain poncho (in self contained pouch) was in the traditional Jigsaw pattern, but with much darker colors. The one I have is dated 1988, and it appears to have been widely issued during the 1980s and into the 1990s. From what I can tell, when the new uniform was introduced a new poncho was also introduced. This new poncho (which I have, but is not dated) is identical in color to the traditional Jigsaw pattern. Odd that it doesn't match the new coloration, but it is what it is :-)

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Various Airforce units who performed functions on the ground received a camo pattern nearly identical to German Flecktarn which was just then entering service with the Bundeswehr. IN fact, the Belgians call their uniform by the German name. The pattern itself is exactly the same but the colors are slightly different. The various materials used in the Belgian garments are unlike those of German uniforms so there can be no mistaking one for the other. Officially it is out of service, replaced by the standard Jigsaw Ripstop uniform.

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