Michael, fascinating! It reminds me that once a certain brand of officer took over the Brit command in Berlin, he ordered that the camouflaged - that is the urban paint-job vehicles -be repainted in the usual black and green as it all looked “unmilitary”.
The diktat on camouflage being deemed provocative applied to the uniforms worn by the Brit military mission (BRIXMIS) operating throughout East Germany; camouflage pattern (DPM) was not permitted to be worn, as if you were ostensibly merely a liaison mission (as opposed to the actual espionage role you undertook), why on earth would you wish to wear camouflage as part of your attire? Ergo, you must be up to something other than liaison if you need to conceal yourself. Hence no DPM for BRIXMIS (though I think towards the end of the Soviet presence and the demise of East Germany, DPM was, on occasion worn).
As it happened, part of the Brit uniform at the time was mainly a green-based working dress, but back in HQ BAOR where I worked in the G Int & Sy Coord branch, we were responsible for supporting BRIXMIS and all the Defence Attaches in Communist bloc countries (less Moscow) and most of my job was spent on procuring all sorts of equipment (early TI equipment for one) and clothing (and coordinating the modifications to Opel Senators at a special location back in UK). For instance, the issue parka at that time was available only in DPM, so we sourced the Canadian version from the Canadian government - a green version - and essential for a German winter as I’m sure you’ll appreciate. The issue woollen shirts - albeit in green - were distinctly uncomfortable (and very poorly made) so obsolete OG shirts designed for the jungle were sourced from somewhere. Also RAF Aircrew pattern boots were favoured by BRIXMIS, who really didn’t want for very much at all!
One other item I had to source was bottles of Scotch; whenever there was a detention, either of BRIXMIS or SOXMIS (the Russian counterpart operating within BAOR turf), depending on the severity and political impact of the incident, either General Zaitsev (the then commander of GSFG) would visit HQ BAOR, or the CinC BAOR visit HQ GSFG; Scotch at one location and vodka at the other. Truly, diplomacy was then lubricated with booze.