Rhodesian Brushstroke

Rhodesian Brushstroke is a camouflage pattern issued to members of the Rhodesian Security Forces from 1965 until its replacement by a vertical lizard stripe in 1980. It was the default camouflage appearing on battledress of the Rhodesian Army and British South Africa Police, although used in smaller quantities by INTAF personnel. The design was also worn by South African special operations units during raids on Mozambique. Rhodesian Brushstroke is currently used by the Zimbabwe National Army.

Development and history
Rhodesian Brushstroke is similar to the United Kingdom's Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM). It consists of large, contrasting, shapes tailored to break up the outline of an object. Like most disruptive camouflage, the pattern is dependent on countershading, utilising hues with high-intensity contrast or noticeable differences in chromaticity.

Prior to Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, enlisted ranks in the Rhodesian Army wore a somber khaki drill. The Battle of Sinoia and the outbreak of the Rhodesian Bush War prompted security forces to devise a more appropriate uniform especially designed for the region. This incorporated a three colour, high contrast, disruptive fabric with green and brown strokes on a sandy background. Early shortages of textile and equipment were overcome with South African and Portuguese technical assistance, and a home industry for the new battledress developed.

Usage
Rhodesian camouflage suits commonly took the form of coveralls, but these were probably too hot for the climate and uniform regulations in the field were quite lax. Local servicemen often modified their uniforms to shorten the sleeves while others wore privately acquired T-shirts in a bewildering variety of unofficial spinoffs on the army brushstroke. Long camouflage trousers were ignored in favour of drab running shorts. Despite acknowledging that the pattern itself was exceptional, security forces also criticised the fabric's mediocre quality and cited the NATO clothing worn by foreign volunteers as being "far superior".

Pilfered Rhodesian fatigues occasionally turned up in the hands of the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), which used it to impersonate government troops, and the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). 3 South African Infantry Battalion, the South African Special Forces Brigade, and 1 Parachute Battalion were also offered Rhodesian camouflage during clandestine operations in that country. These stocks were withdrawn at Zimbabwean independence in 1980. A handful may have been re-issued to fifth columns between 1981 and 1984.

The Zimbabwe National Army adopted Rhodesian Brushstroke at some point prior to the Second Congo War. It is now produced on a khaki base for the dry season savanna and a pale green base for the rainy season verdure.

While developing a new disruptive camouflage in the 2000, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) evaluated over 100 existing patterns, and judged Rhodesian Brushstroke to be one of the three best schemes previously developed, along with CADPAT and tigerstripe. None of the candidates were adopted because there was some indication that Marines would be better served by something more distinctive than a preexisting design. The MARPAT digital camouflage eventually introduced by the USMC in 2002 remains in use today, and blends elements from all three camouflages.

Notes and references

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