Austrian Pea-Dot Uniform & Equipment + Update!

The Austrian "Kampfanzug" camouflage pattern was introduced in 1957, know also as "Erbsenmuster" (pea pattern)

The pea pattern (modified slightly) was used until the 70s.

The Bundesheer (Austrian Army) was among the first to use camouflage canvas for its soldier's equipment.

Note the US webbing influence for the e-tool & it's carrier.

The early Austrian equipment was part leather (traditional), part canvas (US webbing influence). There is no bayonet, the StG 58 (Austrian version of the Belgian FN FAL assault rifle) never had a bayonet made for it.

A translation recommendation from Bernhard Pacher at Hermann Historica has been added here. Bernhard served in the Austrian Army in 1979. He was fortunate to wear Pea-Dot twice during his time in the army, only during training maneuvers, as by this time, the Austrian Army was primarily using and transitioning fully to the Anzug 75 camouflage. 

The image shows next to the helmet the

- Tragegerüst für Feldrucksack (rig to carry the field backpack)

- Feldspaten (folding spade)

and then from left to right

- Koppel (waist belt) with

- "Doppelmagazintasche zum StG58" (double magazine pouch to Austrian assault rifle Mod. 58), one left, one right

- Feldflasche (aluminum can with camo cover),

- Brotbeutel K4 (literally translated bread bag, "haversack", pattern K4),

and

- Spatentasche (carrying bag for folding spade)

During Bernhard's time in 1979/1980, only the spade pouch, flask cover, large Rucksack, and Brotbeutel were still issued in pea dot design. 

Large part of the Austrian Army's equipment consisted of US surplus, left behind in 1955 upon leaving the country. This included lots and lots of steel helmets, Colt's M1911 A1 (continued in Austria to be used with the official designation "Pi11" (= Pistole Model 11) until the introduction of the Glock 17 as the new official sidearm), GMC trucks, Willy's jeeps etc.  And, of course, lots of German stuff (such as P08, P38, MG42) and  Russian stuff (such as PPSh 41 submachine guns).