View source for Lizard (camouflage)

{{short description|Family of camouflage patterns}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox military gear
| name               = Lizard pattern
| image              = French lizard pattern camo.jpg
| image_size         = 
| alt                =
| caption            = French Lizard pattern fabric
| origin             = [[France]]
| type               = [[Military camouflage]] pattern
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1947-1980s (French service)
| used_by            = See ''[[Lizard (camouflage)#Users|Users]]'' 
| wars               = [[First Indochina War]]<br />[[Algerian War]]<br />[[Congo Crisis]]<br />[[Nigerian Civil War]]<br />[[South African Border War]]<br />[[Six Day War]]<br />[[Uganda–Tanzania War]]<br />[[Rhodesian Bush War]]<br/>[[Chadian Civil War (1965–1979)|Chadian Civil War]]<br />[[Chadian–Libyan conflict]]<br />[[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Cambodian Civil War]]<br />[[Laotian Civil War]]<br />[[Portuguese Colonial War]]<br />[[Angolan Civil War]]<br />[[Mozambican Civil War]]<br />[[First Sudanese Civil War|Sudanese Civil War]]<br />[[Western Sahara conflict]]<br />[[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]]<br />[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br />[[Iran-Iraq War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[Syrian Civil War]]<br />[[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = Numerous
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = Numerous
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1947-1980 (French production only)
| number             = 
| variants           = 
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = 
| length             = 
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = 
}}

The '''lizard pattern''' (TAP47 pattern<ref>[https://kommandopost.com/index.php/2015/08/26/french-lizard-camo-tap-4753-1954/ French Lizard Camo TAP 47/53 (1954 – 1960’s?)]</ref> or Leopard pattern for the French) is a family of many related designs of [[military camouflage]] pattern, first used by the [[French Army]] on uniforms from 1947 to the late 1980s. It was based on the British paratroopers' [[Denison smock]].<ref name=Camopedia/><ref name="Epoch">{{cite web|title=Epochs Field Guide to Camouflage: Lizard|url=http://epochs.co/camouflage|publisher=Epochs|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> The use of the pattern is widespread in Africa, despite its association with France, because armed factions and militaries tend to obtain them from whichever source has it available.{{sfnp|Dougherty|2017|p=67}}

There are two major types of lizard pattern, horizontal like the original French design, and vertical like the early variant developed by [[Portugal]]. In addition, the [[Vietnam War]] [[tiger stripe camouflage]] pattern is descended from Lizard.<ref name=Camopedia>{{cite web |title=Lizard |url=http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Lizard |publisher=Camopedia |access-date=25 March 2016}}{{better source needed|date=March 2020}}</ref>

==Evolution of lizard patterns==
[[File:Lleopard.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Lizard camo BDU and pants]]

Lizard patterns have two overlapping prints, generally green and brown, printed with gaps so that a third dyed color, such as a lighter green or khaki, makes up a large part of the pattern. In this, it is printed like earlier British patterns used on that country's Paratroopers [[Denison smock]]s. Lizard patterns have narrower printed areas than the British patterns, and the original form had a strong horizontal orientation, [[disruptive coloration|disrupting]] the vertical form of the soldier's body.<ref name=Camopedia/>

===Horizontal lizard patterns===
[[File:Deux légionnaires parachutistes armés de MAT 49 lors de la bataille de Kolwezi en 1978 devant un camion GMC.jpg|thumb|Two [[French Foreign Legion]] paratroopers in [[Kolwezi]] in 1978]]
Horizontal lizard patterns in different colour forms were made by the French. A copy of the French pattern, made in Asia, was adopted by some African countries such as Chad, Gabon, Rwanda, and Sudan. In around 1970 Cuba designed a gray variety, used by Cuba and by the FAPLA of Angola. Greece has used a range of horizontal lizard patterns from the 1960s. Russian [[Spetsnaz]] and [[Internal Troops (Russia)|interior ministry troops]] wear horizontal lizard patterns.<ref name=Camopedia/> The [[Israel Defence Force]] used actual French lizard uniforms (donated by France) until 1968, alongside plain (unpatterned) battledress.<ref name="KatzKatz1988">{{cite book|last1=Katz|first1=Sam|last2=Katz|first2=Samuel M.|title=Israeli Elite Units Since 1948|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YDqGUX32LkIC&pg=PA55|date=23 June 1988|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-0-85045-837-4|pages=54–55}}</ref>

[[Bulgarian Army]] used the surplus Israel Defence Force uniforms as official uniform in United Nation's mission in Cambodia (UNTAC), 1992–1993.

French lizard was among the patterns used in Congo in 1978.<ref name="AbbottRuggeri2014">{{cite book |last1=Abbott |first1=Peter |last2=Ruggeri|first2=Raffaele|title=Modern African Wars (4): The Congo 1960-2002 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V4KfAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA46 |year=2014 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-78200-078-5 |page=46}}</ref> After the [[Algerian War]] the "Troupes Aéroportée"  (Airborne Troops) "Tenue Leopard"/"tenues de saut" was officially withdrawn from French service in January 1963 as it was felt to be a reminder of the [[Algiers putsch of 1961|Paratroops mutiny]]. It was initially replaced with the [[olive green]] M1947 "trellis/tenue de compagne" and later the newer green "trellis Satin M1964" in 1971 which became the "tenue F-1", the forest camouflage [[Camouflage Central-Europe|CCE]] was introduced in 1991.<ref name="FFLIC">French Foreign Legion Infantry and Cavalry since 1945 Osprey Men-at-Arms 300, Martin Windrow, Copyright 1996, {{ISBN|1-85532-621-3}}{{page needed|date=March 2020}}</ref>

However, the "tenue camouflee toutes armes" variant was worn by the entire [[French Foreign Legion|Foreign Legion]] throughout the 1960s <ref name="FFLIC"/> and by Foreign Legion paratroops into the early 1980s until finally replaced by the “tenue F1”.<ref>French Foreign Legion Paratroops Osprey Elite 6, Martin Windrow & Wayne Braby, Copyright 1985, {{ISBN|0-85045-629-0}}{{page needed|date=March 2020}}</ref>

===Vertical lizard patterns===
Vertical lizard patterns in different colorways were apparently developed in Portugal from the original French horizontal patterns. The lizard pattern had been in use in Portugal since 1956 with the Air Force's [[Portuguese Paratroopers|Paratroopers]], being extended to the Army's [[Special Operations Troops Centre|Special Rifles units]] in 1960. With the Portuguese Military engaged in the [[Portuguese Colonial War|Overseas Wars]] mainly fought in the African jungles, the camouflaged uniform was issued throughout the whole Army and some units of the Navy and Air Force. In 1963, a vertical lizard pattern was developed, this replacing the French horizontal pattern. Paradoxically, the Portuguese vertical lizard pattern become popular amongst some of the guerrillas that opposed Portugal in the Overseas Wars and was later adopted by the armed forces of some of the former Portuguese African colonies after their independence.<ref name="IWM">{{cite web|title=smock, camouflage (Portuguese, 'Lizard 'Pattern)|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30100409|publisher=[[Imperial War Museum]]|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref>

The Portuguese vertical lizard pattern was adopted by Brazil, which developed a range of colorways for each of its armed services. Egypt, Greece, India, Lebanese Palestinians and Syria have all used variants of the vertical lizard pattern.<ref name=Camopedia/> [[SWAPO]] guerrillas in Namibia wore a wide variety of camouflage, including Portuguese lizard.<ref name="Games2012">{{cite book |author=Wolverton, Martin |title=Bush Wars: Africa 1960–2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M-W6CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA134 |date=20 December 2012 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-84908-770-4 |page=134}}</ref>

===Other descendants===
{{main|Tiger stripe camouflage}}

The [[Vietnam War]] [[tiger stripe camouflage]] is descended from Lizard. It began as a French experimental pattern during the Indochina war. It was based on the TAP47 lizard pattern, and was adopted by the [[South Vietnamese Marines]]. Tiger stripe differs from lizard in having its printed areas interlocked rather than overlapped; it also used smaller areas of dyed background color.<ref name=Camopedia/>

==Users==

<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

===Current===
* {{flag|Algeria}}: Grey Lizard camos used by Algerian paratroopers.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=3}} Purple-dominant lizard used in the 1980s.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=2}}
* {{flag|Armenia}}: Greek Lizard camos used by Armenian troops while in peacekeeping operations under NATO command.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=195}}
* {{flag|Bahrain}}: Known to be used by Bahraini commando units.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmilitaria.com/bahrain-special-forces-lizard-camo-uniform.html |title=Bahrain Special Forces Lizard Camo Uniform - Middle East Militaria |website=www.middleeastmilitaria.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072553/https://www.middleeastmilitaria.com/bahrain-special-forces-lizard-camo-uniform.html |archive-date=2018-08-10}}</ref>
* {{flag|Benin}}{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=7}}
* {{flag|Brazil}}: Used by the Brazilian military.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=3713 |title=Preparing for the Olympic Games 2016 |website=www.sadefensejournal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303130936/http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=3713 |archive-date=2017-03-03}}</ref>
* {{flag|Cape Verde}}: Brazilian variant used by Cape Verdean military units in public function roles and by Cape Verdean Naval Infantry.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=14}} Regular lizard pattern used by rest of Cape Verdean military.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=14}}
* {{flag|East Timor}}: Digital version of the lizard camo used by the East Timorese military.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=334}}
* {{flag|Greece}}<ref name="Lizard">{{Cite web|editor-last1=Riehl|editor-first1=F. |date=2009-08-26|title=EOTAC Brings Back Lizard Pattern Camo|url=https://www.ammoland.com/2009/08/eotac-brings-back-lizard-pattern-camo/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=AmmoLand.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{flag|Namibia}}<ref>[https://kommandopost.com/index.php/2016/01/03/namibian-lizard-camo-1992/ Namibian Lizard Camo (1992)] </ref>
* {{flag|Russia}}{{sfn|Dougherty|2017|p=66}}

===Former===
* {{flag|Angola}}: Used Cuban-made lizard camos.<ref name="BW">Bush Wars: Africa 1960–2010 by Ambush Alley Games, p. 134.</ref> UNITA used French-based lizard camos.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=5}}
* {{BUL}} Used as official uniform in UNTAC mission (Cambodia 1992–1993)
* {{CUB}}: Formerly used Cuban-made lizard camos, derived from Soviet camo designs.<ref name="BW"/>{{sfn|Dougherty|2017|p=66}}
* {{CYP}}: Some members of the volunteer old-age men Corp (εθνοφύλακες) of the [[Cypriot National Guard]] still use it.<ref>{{Cite web|editor-last1=Riehl|editor-first1=F.|date=2009-08-26|title=EOTAC Brings Back Lizard Pattern Camo|url=https://www.ammoland.com/2009/08/eotac-brings-back-lizard-pattern-camo/|access-date=2020-09-24|website=AmmoLand.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{FRA}}: Widely used by French military forces in Vietnam and Algeria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epochs.co/features/epochs-field-guide-to-camouflage|title = Epochs Field Guide to Camouflage}}</ref>
* {{ISR}}: Used in the 1960s, supplied by France.<ref name="KatzKatz1988"/>
* {{NGA}}{{sfn|Jowett|2016|p=9}}
* {{POR}}: Used to have Portuguese lizard camos by Portuguese forces fighting in Africa.{{sfn|Dougherty|2017|p=66}}
* {{flag|Rhodesia}}: The [[Rhodesian Special Air Service|Rhodesian SAS]] wore the Portuguese lizard camo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Early Rhodesian Bush War Uniforms 1965 – 1969 johnwynnehopkins |url=https://www.worldmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/314977-early-rhodesian-bush-war-uniforms-1965-%E2%80%93-1969-johnwynnehopkins/ |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=World Militaria Forum |date=20 April 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{SRB}}:<ref name="Lizard"/>
* {{flag|Syria}}: Clones of French Lizard camo used by the Syrian military.<ref>Israeli Soldier vs Syrian Soldier: Golan Heights 1967–73 by David Campbell, Page 20.</ref>
* {{USSR}}: Spetsnaz advisors to FAPLA wore Cuban-made lizard camos.{{sfn|Galeotti|2015|p=16}}
* {{YUG}}: Formerly used by Yugoslav Police from 1992 to 2001.{{sfnp|Larson|2021|p=473}}<ref name="Lizard"/>

===Non-state actors===
* [[People's Armed Forces of Liberation of Angola|FAPLA]]: Used Cuban lizard camos.<ref>[https://kommandopost.com/index.php/2019/02/27/cuban-grey-lizard-camo-1970s/ Cuban Grey Lizard Camo and South African Recce Copy Fabric (1970’s)] </ref>
* [[SWAPO]]: Used Portuguese lizard camos.<ref name="BW"/>
* [[Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army|ZANLA]]: Used Portuguese lizard camouflage.<ref name="Camopedia Rhodesia">{{Cite web |title=Rhodesia - Camopedia |url=https://www.camopedia.org/index.php/Rhodesia |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=www.camopedia.org}}</ref>
* [[Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army|ZIPRA]]: Used Portuguese lizard camouflage.<ref name="Camopedia Rhodesia"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{commons category|Lizard camouflage}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dougherty |first=Martin |date=2017 |title=Camouflage at War: An Illustrated Guide from 1914 to the Present Day |publisher=Amber Books |isbn=978-1782744986 }}
* {{cite book |last=Galeotti |first=Mark |title=Spetsnaz: Russia's Special Forces |year=2015 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1472807229 }}
* {{cite book |last=Jowett |first=Philip |title=Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967–70 |year=2016 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1472816092 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Larson |first1=Eric H. |title=Camouflage: International Ground Force Patterns, 1946–2017 |date=2021 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=9781526739537}}

{{Camouflage}}

[[Category:Camouflage patterns]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced from 1945 to 1949]]