WW2 Unit Formation Signs & Insignia (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

Here's a shock. I just received a reference book of unit formation signs and insignia of all the participants in WW2. The book has a warning that many of the photos of AFVs taken during the war had their unit formation signs and insignia blotted out by military censors. There may have been more markings on the vehicles than are shown on the vehicles than the photos show. So if you are looking at a photo of an AFV with no markings, that may be why.

Terry

 

[hsm]

Hey this is a good point for all of those "single source experts".

Many unit markings were changed before/after D-day as well. This was part of the deception plan when units moved from ITO to ETO etc.

My old Regiment (Canada-Tank) changed markings and numbers for these very reasons.
Example- The Ontario Regiment is listed as the 11th Canadian Tank Regiment- the unit ID on the fender for part off the war was the Regimetnal colours (2 blues and gold) with the number 173.
173 adds up to 11-!

this was just one iteration of unit markings.


If anyone wants decals(1/35 scale) for their agonywagons PM me.

Grant

 

[Mitch]

A lot of pics I have have the unit markings covered with the obligatory black mark.

Which, reference book are you using?
Mitch

 

[Phantom Warrior]

A lot of pics I have have the unit markings covered with the obligatory black mark.

Which, reference book are you using?
Mitch

There are 2 small format booklets of 70 pages each published in 1971 and a larger format hardcover book of 115 pages printed in 1981. All are by Terence Wise.

One booklet is "Military Vehicle Markings" and covers formation signs in WW1 and WW2 for most countries. The 2nd Booklet is "Part 2 - Tactical Signs and National Identification Marks" The hardcover book looks like a better printed update covering what is in both booklets with updated/additional data, but only for WW2

They arrived today looking like something printed during the war. Very English and dowdy. A true reference book with tables of units, pages of black and white symbols with their colour descriptions written on the facing page.

In order to use the book for any WW2 combatant, one would actually have to learn each nations numbering system in order to find anything specific on that combatant. Woe to anyone not knowing what country is using the vehicle.


Terry

 

[Mitch]

Sound very intersting... Right up my street English and dowdy!!
Thanks for the info
Mitch

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Sound very intersting... Right up my street English and dowdy!!
Thanks for the info
Mitch

The hard cover book is called Military Vehicle Markings: World War 2 by Terence Wise

I've looked through some of it. It is very well done and certainly better than the booklets if you want only WW2

Terry

 

[Mitch]

Thanks for the reference
Mitch

The hard cover book is called Military Vehicle Markings: World War 2 by Terence Wise

I've looked through some of it. It is very well done and certainly better than the booklets if you want only WW2

Terry