Lone Sentry: Camouflage of Vehicles; Tracks (War Department Field Manual FM 5-20B, April 1944)

CONTENTS

Check List
Introduction
Aerial Observation
Ground Observation
[ Tracks ]
Siting
Dispersion
Shine
Shadows
Natural Materials
Vehicle Painting
Artificial Materials
Use of Nets
Digging In
Snow Camouflage

TRACKS

Tracks are especially revealing signs to the aerial observer and to the interpreter of aerial photographs. They may reveal the location, strength, and even the intention of a whole unit. The gradual turns of wheeled vehicles are distinguishable from the skidding turns of track-laying vehicles, and often a single track across an area of low vegetation is clearly visible.

FIGURE 4.—Tracks crossing natural terrain lines are noticeable, while tracks parallel to natural terrain lines are likely to be overlooked.

FIGURE 5 (1).—Here, tracks point clearly to a concealed installation or bivouac because of lack of planning and lack of camouflage discipline.

(2).—Here is the correct way to gain access to a concealed position. Vehicles stay in one track which is continued past the position to a logical termination, such as a road. This track must show signs of equal wear throughout. Locate turnoff where it is least conspicuous.

[FIGURE 5 (2). Here is the correct way to gain access to a concealed position. Vehicles stay in one track which is continued past the position to a logical termination, such as a road. This track must show signs of equal wear throughout. Locate turnoff where it is least conspicuous.]

TRACK DISCIPLINE AND SITING

FIGURE 6 (1).—Cutting corners is a good indication to the enemy of traffic activity. It is a driver's responsibility to maintain the normal appearance of the terrain by not making this kind of scar.

(2).—If there are no existing routes to a concealed position, any new ones should follow closely and be parallel to hedge lines, fences, cultivation lines, or other natural terrain lines. Tracks made this way are inconspicuous from the air.

[FIGURE 6 (2). If there are no existing routes to a concealed position, any new ones should follow closely and be parallel to hedge lines, fences, cultivation lines, or other natural terrain lines. Tracks made this way are inconspicuous from the air.]

FIGURE 7.—WRONG. (1) Corners cut short. (2) Tracks and parked vehicles contrast with terrain pattern. Succession of track loops especially noticeable. (3) Good track plan spoiled by failure of three trucks to follow plan, and good siting plan spoiled by insufficient dispersion. (4) Bad siting around perimeter of large and unusually shaped terrain feature. Newly made tracks point to position. Insufficient dispersion.

RIGHT. (5) Existing tracks used for access. They have not been widened noticeably. (6) Good use of lines in the terrain pattern. Correct dispersion. (7) Good use of overhead cover. (8) Inconspicuous existing tracks to cultivated field.

[FIGURE 7. Right and wrong track camouflage.]

FIGURE 8.—Concealed entrance to a position. Route is wired in, and guides are posted to prevent changes in the appearance of the terrain.

CONCEALED ROADS

Completely concealed routes are rarely found. Even the comparatively small amount of timber which must be cut to clear a roadway through a wooded area leaves gaps in the overhead cover through which the road is visible to airmen. However, partially concealed roads are better than exposed roads, and reconnaissance parties should be sent out to find them. Gaps in overhead cover in important sections of a road can be concealed by erecting overhead screens of either natural or artificial materials (fig. 9). In other short stretches, exposed tracks may be erased by brushing leaves over them; or by raking sand, soil, or debris over them; or by placing brush upright on them after the heaviest traffic has passed (fig. 10). All concealed routes should be wired in in advance of use and guards posted to insure a minimum of disturbance in the area.

FIGURE 9.—Where short stretches of concealed roads have sparse overhead cover, they may be concealed completely by overhead screens tied between trees and garnished to match the surrounding foliage.

FIGURE 10.—Short exposed stretches of infrequently used access routes may be obliterated by placing brush over a scarred area or by brushing leaves, dirt, or other debris over it.

FIGURE 11.

TRACK PLANNING

Before a unit occupies a new position, a quartering party must first make a reconnaissance and lay out a concealed track plan. No vehicle should enter the new area until this plan has been made and marked so that drivers can stay on the allotted routes. The quartering party should be capable of visualizing the appearance of terrain when seen from the air. A standard track plan is impossible—an individual solution is required for each installation. Track plan must be laid out to fit into the terrain pattern as inconspicuously as possible by taking advantage of existing roads, overhead cover, and shadow-casting lines which are a normal part of the terrain pattern.

Many factors which affect the character of the track plan must be considered by the quartering party. Some of these are: the duration of occupation; time allowed for entering and leaving; size, character, and mission of occupying unit; known distance from enemy; effect of climate on visibility; availability of all-weather road surfaces; and strength of mobile AAA. In addition to laying out a track plan on the ground itself, track plan should be sketched on either a map overlay or a sketch of the area. Parking areas are indicated as well as portions of routes to be patrolled by traffic guides, who are posted not only to insure that correct routes are taken but that camouflage discipline is maintained.

The photograph and overlay in figure 12 (1) and (2) illustrate a typical problem in track planning. Details shown on overlay are—

(1) Approach highway.
(2) Main bivouac entrance road.
(3) Bivouac loop.
(4) Bivouac exit road.
(5) Two-way road linking bivouac and headquarters.
(6) One-way road through vehicle park and headquarters.

FIGURE 12 (1) and (2).



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