The Baukastenlaterne (officially usually referred to as the Einheitslaterne) is a lighting system used by the German Bundeswehr and previous military forces. The lantern owes its nickname to the clever modular "building block principle" (Baukasten), allowing a single robust metal lantern to run on completely different types of fuel by using various inserts.

Key Features at a Glance

• Versatile fuels: The lantern can be converted in a jiffy for use with kerosene (paraffin), carbide, candles, or special emergency lighting.
• Modular design: All burners, glass panes (including colored signal panes in red and green), and spare parts are compactly packed in a transport-resistant crate.
• Robust construction: The housing is made of heavy, olive-drab painted metal and is extremely weather-resistant for heavy duty use in the field.
• Application: The lantern was primarily used to illuminate command posts, camps, field hospitals, or for signaling.