Iraqi used kuwaiti dpm camouflage uniform
When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, Iraqi soldiers pillaged warehouses full of Kuwaiti supplies, which included these desert DPM uniforms worn previously by Kuwaiti soldiers. Elements of the Iraqi forces equipped themselves with them, which led to many being brought back by Coalition Forces in the first Gulf War. Although the label hints the uniform was manufactured in France, it was actually made in China or South Korea. These are not encountered in use much past 1991.
Standard L'Berge Uniform
This style is recognized as the most commonly seen L'Berge variant. It is a light field jacket that has a button closure, but concealed chest pockets closed by zippers. A single strip of velcro is located above the wearer's right side pocket. The pants simply have a pocket halfway down both legs and a single pocket on the rear.
The uniform above has been slightly modified by the Iraqi soldier. He removed the 2 lower pockets on the pants and also shortened the pants for a better fit (Shown on the last two photos). The "L'Berge" tag is seen on all of these prior Kuwaiti desert DPM uniforms.
The uniform above has been slightly modified by the Iraqi soldier. He removed the 2 lower pockets on the pants and also shortened the pants for a better fit (Shown on the last two photos). The "L'Berge" tag is seen on all of these prior Kuwaiti desert DPM uniforms.
L'Berge Camoulage smock
Shown above is the illusive paratrooper smock version with L'Berge tag. Like many smocks exported to the Middle East around this time, it copies the vintage British styles from the 1940's and 1950's with some slight differences, one being straight pockets instead of slanted. This example once had the "beaver tail" flap factory secured to the rear, but the Iraqi soldier who wore it removed it.
L'Berge Combat Shirt
Iraq also captured combat shirts like these from Kuwait, which are a simple design consisting of two chest pockets and an exposed button closure. They are very light which works well for the hot climate of the Middle East, and sport the regular L'Berge tag on the inside collar area. The pants that were worn with these shirts appear to be the same as what came with the standard uniform shown first in this section.
T Shirt
The Kuwaiti desert DPM shirt was used during training and exercises in addition to in the field, and happens to not sport an L'Berge tag. We are unsure if it just wore away or was never there in the first place, but regardless, these very uncommon shirts were worn under L'Berge camouflage by Kuwait before Iraqi troops got their hands on them.