Dating to 1949, this U.S. Army film “Camouflage Principles” provides an overview about how to effectively conceal equipment and field positions from enemy observation including by air.
Main title (:11-:18). Shots of an analyst reviewing new aerial photos of an enemy encampment, and circling a likely target (:30). Aircraft makes a bomb attack on the position, but misses the soldiers and Bofors type anti-aircraft gun concealed by foliage. The troops camouflage a Sherman tank. They then hide a truck in the woods. A truck is concealed in a field. An enemy observer sits in a tree, using binoculars. Troops advance on the ground and take cover. Trucks are easily seen from the air. New roads and airstrips can also be easily seen from the air (:19-2:25). A man studies aerial photos with a magnifying glass to figure out new changes in the terrain, indicating presence of enemy forces. Enemy look over photographs. Regular shapes don’t look odd. Older and newer photos are compared. Troops on the ground fire off a cannon. Troops look at a map and circle areas on a map. Animation shows trucks heading to a “concealed” installation, but from the air the presence of tire tracks abruptly stopping is a dead giveaway (2:26-4:28). Animation shows how to cover truck tracks and not make things obvious. Animation shows a bulldozer creating a new road to throw off the enemy observers and how to make a “dummy” installation (5:02). Officers look over a map to figure out the best place to conceal their forces. Troops walk through a wooded area (4:29-6:07). Trucks move through the woods. Troops move forward under covered forest. Equipment must be under cover. Signs are posted to enforce concealment measures. Tree branches are used for concealment. Branches are moved to hide vehicles and equipment (6:08-7:59). Aerial shot where everything looks normal from above. Ina desert area,, no weapons or vehicles visible. Camouflage netting is draped over a howitzer. Artificial means can be employed to camouflage equipment, as a group of men conceal their truck using planks and other materials from a house (9:19). Observation planes take pictures but the truck is essentially invisible. Howitzer is fired from concealed position. (8:00-9:50). End credits (9:51-9:55).
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