Camouflage

Camouflage (French, camoufler, “to disguise”), word introduced by the French at the beginning of World War I to designate scientific disguise of objects through imitation of natural surroundings. Early in the war, frontline camouflage, or concealment from ground observation, played the principal role. Later the development of the bomber plane made camouflage of industrial centres to the rear of the fighting front a necessity. To camouflage an object, the surrounding landscape is imitated by the use of fabric screens, grass, or shrubs, genuine or artificial. Fortifications or factories may be given the appearance of farm buildings, and well-known landmarks may be altered or duplicated. During World War II, the use of aerial survey and the development of infrared photography, which distinguishes between natural and artificial vegetation, led to the development of sophisticated devices for camouflage. Combat troops are also obscured by the use of colour splashes on uniforms.