Military Tarpaulins (tent cloth) in swissgerman called "Blache" are printed in camouflage tarpaulins. They are used as rain protection, as elements in bivouac and for camouflaging military equipment. They are specially treated and therefore water repellent and highly resistant to abrasion and dirt. In Germany and Austria the military is also known as "multi-purpose Plane". This, however, is different from the Swiss military Tarpaulins, trapezoida.
The official name is the Swiss army tent 01 and tent 64, the number is in each case for the year of introduction (1901 and 1964). The two models differ in camouflage and part in fastening the buttons. They are sewn or riveted to the tarpaulin, very old models wearing the buttons on a strong string attached such that a button can be used on both sides - to the knob to the cord is pulled through the loop to the opposite side.
The Swiss military Tarpaulin is square and has a side length of 165 centimeters. It consists of chemically modified Cotton and has reinforced seams, giving it a very high tensile strength. Along the edges are 3 2buttonholes and 64 Aluminium buttons installed in double rows, making it possible to connect two military tarpaulins. In every military tarpaulin is a removable tent cord who is two meters long incorporated a 60 cm long "neck strap" and four corner and center ribs. In the corners are each a strong metal eyelet as a holder for a tent pole. The dry tarpaulin weighs 1.25 kg.
At any Swiss military Tarpaulin has a peg bag ("Zelteinheit"). This includes three pegs made from aluminum or steel, depending on the version and either three pegs of wood (each 40.5 cm, composed of 110 cm long) or four longer and a shorter tent poles made of aluminum.
Damaged Military Tarpaulins were identified earlier in a corner with a yellow color and referred to as "B-Blache" or "reject Tarpaulins». Today, both sides are all camouflaged tent cloths as "Ausschussblachen" reject Tarpaulins, since the newer only on one side have Camouflage.
The Military Tarpaulins served in the army as rain protection, for camouflage and bivouac. By skillfully combining several different Tarpaulins tents can be manufactured in different sizes and shapes. In this use, they are especially for youth organizations (Scouts, CEVI, Jungwacht, blue ring, BESJ and others) popular.