Combat uniform

A battledress is a type of uniform used as combat uniforms, as opposed to dress uniforms or formal uniform worn at parades and functions. In American English, the term fatigues is often used, originally being a term for soldiers' work uniforms. The battledress is generally camouflaged, either in monochrome such as a shade of green or brown to approximate the background, or in a disruptive pattern.

Contrary to dress uniforms, the battledress is usually made from cotton (or in modern times a cotton blend), and to a more loose and comfortable cut. British forces in India in the mid 19th century were the first to use drab cotton uniforms for battle; they were first worn by the Corps of Guides in 1848 where the colour of drab light-brown uniform was called khaki by Indian troops.

The first purpose-made and widely issued military camouflage fabric was for half-shelters by the Italian Army after the First World War. Germany was the first to use such shelter fabric for uniforms for their paratroopers, and by the war's end both various German as well as the older Italian fabric was widely used for camouflage uniforms. Most nations developed camouflage uniforms during the Second World War, though these were often issued only to "elite" units.

Currently, Australian troops wear a camouflage uniform called Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform (more commonly called DPCU or Auscam), shaded to suit Australia's terrain. It was developed by entering the colours of the Australian landscape into a computer program and DPCU was the result.

There are three variations, the original design which is most commonly used, another for use in desert environments, called Disruptive Pattern Desert Uniform (DPDU) and a third for use by OPFOR units in training exercises.

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