adapted from The War of Deception: Artists and Camouflage in World War I Source: The National Park Service The use of camouflage in the military during World War I came as a result of technology and circumstance. Aerial photography made masses of weaponry or troops a liability, unless they were hidden from the camera’s eye. As the war in Europe became increasingly a standoff between enemy troops dug into trenches in close proximity, and often in the open, the need for camouflage increased. Camouflage was first developed in France in 1914 by artist Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola and others. The theatrical nature of the subject encouraged artists to participate in the attempts to hide military personnel and actions. The British followed, with the Americans coming later. In the United States, the painters George de Forest Brush, Barry Faulkner and Abbott Thayer all worked to persuade the military to adopt principles of coloration to mask ships, weapons, and troops. Passage 2 Camouflage of Military Land Vehicles The main purpose of vehicle and equipment camouflage is to create a disguise from enemy surveillance and attack. Camouflage blends the shape of the vehicle with the surrounding environment to make detection difficult. Camouflage paint also reduces shine and makes the vehicle or equipment difficult to identify. Painting vehicles as camouflage is not particularly effective. However, adding netting to vehicles or equipment has been found to disrupt visual identification. Including pieces of natural vegetation in the nets can also increase the amount of camouflage.
Select the correct answer.
What conclusion can be drawn from both passages?
A. The use of camouflage is primarily for masking military vehicles and personnel.
B. Camouflage has been used to mask the appearance of military vehicles.
C. Camouflage was a determining factor in the outcome of World War I.
D. The use of camouflage in the military first occurred during World War I.