Tactical Signs (1 Viewer)
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binder001
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reading left to right would be the primary headquarters - Army (Arabic numeral with "A"), Corps (Roman numeral) or Division (Arabic numeral with no suffic for Infantry Divisions, follwed by the "delta" for armored divisions, or with "AB" or "ABN" for airborne divisions, next comes the regiment or battalion (followed by "-I" for Infantry, the "delta" for tank, "FA" for field arillery, etc. On the right side of the vehicle would be the company and indivisual vehicle number.
Your M4A1 is assigned to the US VII Corps, the 741st Tank Battalion. This is one of the two battalions that landed on DDay with two companies of Duplex Drive M4A1s and one reinforced company with standard tanks fitted for deep wading. The 741st was the battalion that had their two Duplex Drive companies almost wiped out for being launched too far out in heavy seas. Many of the deep-waders made it ashore and fought well, taking heavy casualties. The unit was refitted and served through the rest of the war in Europe - commonly with the US 2nd Infantry Division.
Gary B.
Your M4A1 is assigned to the US VII Corps, the 741st Tank Battalion. This is one of the two battalions that landed on DDay with two companies of Duplex Drive M4A1s and one reinforced company with standard tanks fitted for deep wading. The 741st was the battalion that had their two Duplex Drive companies almost wiped out for being launched too far out in heavy seas. Many of the deep-waders made it ashore and fought well, taking heavy casualties. The unit was refitted and served through the rest of the war in Europe - commonly with the US 2nd Infantry Division.
Gary B.
thebritfarmer
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From what binder described I would agree then that you are correct.
And what is the black triangle for?
theBaron
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That's the "delta" Gary referred to, if I'm not mistaken, it's actually a representation of the triangular division badges (or patches) used by US armored divisions, just rendered as a solid in the tactical sign.
Prost!
Brad
Attached is the picture of my Sherman that has the tactical sign. It is not a black or solid triangle. It is supposed to be hollow not solid. Trangle means - ARMORED
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theBaron
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Right, like the badges, too, isn't it?
binder001
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Yes the triangle goes back to the trianglular patches of the Armored Force and the "delta" remains in use to this day. Most often it is a hollow triangle but I have seen some vehicles carrying a solid color triangle (mostly in the modern era).
The difference between the two "I" marks is probably just a misprint or a misinterpretation of the person decorating the model. The Roman numeral VII (7) is the correct designation. V Corps and VII Corps were the two headquarters responsible for the assaults on Utah and Omaha (both reporting to the US First Army). FYI - VI Corps was in Italy at the time of the landings in Normandy, but was the headquarters for the US assault division in Operation Dragoon (reporting to the US Seventh Army).
Gary
The difference between the two "I" marks is probably just a misprint or a misinterpretation of the person decorating the model. The Roman numeral VII (7) is the correct designation. V Corps and VII Corps were the two headquarters responsible for the assaults on Utah and Omaha (both reporting to the US First Army). FYI - VI Corps was in Italy at the time of the landings in Normandy, but was the headquarters for the US assault division in Operation Dragoon (reporting to the US Seventh Army).
Gary