German 3-letter codes for manufacturers of military binoculars, telescopic sights, cameras and optical instruments of all types during World War Two

During WWII, German industry was extensively and successfully dispersed to lessen the effects of Allied bombing on its output. The principal manufacturers of binoculars, such as Zeiss, Leitz, Hensoldt, Goerz, Busch and Voigtländer were often spread over various locations and many other companies were brought in to manufacture optical equipment for the military of the Third Reich. Such companies included some located outside of Germany, in occupied countries, such as France, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Holland. Austria and Italy also manufactured for the Reich. Often these companies were making equipment designed by the bigger firms such as Zeiss and Leitz. The equipment manufactured by this extensive network was, until near the end of the war, of the very highest quality and, from 1940, its origin was intended to be obscured from the enemy by the use of government-issued, three-letter codes. The following list of these codes is extensive but not exhaustive, one reason for this being that some further dispersal was undertaken as the war progressed.