One of the most inconsistent, confusing, and as a result controversial, subjects of the British Army in World War II, are the tactical markings used on
armored fighting vehicles as well as all other forms of transport. Historians,
Authors, Military Vehicle Restorers, and Scale Model Enthusiasts alike, have
and continue to enquire on various forums and web sites as to the nuances and
specific details of the markings.
A most contentious subset are what are called Arm of Service
(AoS) numbers and colored squares found on the fenders and rear of the majority
of tanks and other vehicles. Even though prescribed military regulations were
promulgated on the subject, exceptions abound. No place is this more true than
in the AoS markings found on the vehicles of the British 1st
Airborne Division during Operation 'Market Garden', the Battle of Arnhem. The
subject has been further exacerbated by erroneous research incorporated in
“definitive” references.
As can be appreciated from the researcher's perspective, any contemporary photograph of vehicles taken during the course of the battle, and misidentified, can immediately lead to confusion over mis-location of a unit in a given physical position at a certain time in the battle. It should also be realized that not all of the involved vehicles carried definitive markings, or because of incurred battle damage, had them obliterated, further compounding correct identification.
Consisting of a white number (normally 2 or 3 digits) superimposed on a 'square' of either a solid or set of colors, the AoS number identified the vehicle unit’s parent organization, the colors connoting branch, i.e., Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps, etc. This number is light (Cambridge) blue in the case of the 6th Airborne Division, with exceptions in both divisions. The numbers would identify the unit, most frequently to the battalion level, i.e., 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 7th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (Airlanding), etc. Army Regulations stipulated the nominal size of the "squares' to be 8.5” wide and 9.5” high. Regulations further directed that the marking be on the front right hand side and left rear. The division's formation sign would be placed on the front left hand side and right rear. In the case of the 1st Airborne Division this was a light blue 'Pegasus' (normally facing right) on a maroon square, of the same dimensions. The following are examples:
As can be appreciated from the researcher's perspective, any contemporary photograph of vehicles taken during the course of the battle, and misidentified, can immediately lead to confusion over mis-location of a unit in a given physical position at a certain time in the battle. It should also be realized that not all of the involved vehicles carried definitive markings, or because of incurred battle damage, had them obliterated, further compounding correct identification.
Consisting of a white number (normally 2 or 3 digits) superimposed on a 'square' of either a solid or set of colors, the AoS number identified the vehicle unit’s parent organization, the colors connoting branch, i.e., Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps, etc. This number is light (Cambridge) blue in the case of the 6th Airborne Division, with exceptions in both divisions. The numbers would identify the unit, most frequently to the battalion level, i.e., 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 7th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (Airlanding), etc. Army Regulations stipulated the nominal size of the "squares' to be 8.5” wide and 9.5” high. Regulations further directed that the marking be on the front right hand side and left rear. The division's formation sign would be placed on the front left hand side and right rear. In the case of the 1st Airborne Division this was a light blue 'Pegasus' (normally facing right) on a maroon square, of the same dimensions. The following are examples:
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| Unit AoS of the 1st Airborne Recce Squadron |
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| Formation Sign of the 1st Airborne Division |
This photograph is of one of the armed jeeps of the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron which evaded the ambush at Wolfheze, and made it as far as the eastern part of Oosterbeek. In addition to '41' on the bumper, note absence of any windscreen (windshield), the single .303 cal.Vickers 'K' gun mounting, and finally the barely discernible 'Pegasus' formation sign on the left side of the bumper.
The next photograph shows an example of the markings correctly painted on the bumper of a restored jeep. In this case indicating 181st Field Ambulance (Airlanding) attached to the 1st Airlanding Brigade.
There is however, one recognized and significant reference book,
who’s authors discovered original source documentation on the subject, which
has been corroborated by contemporary photographs at the scene of the battle in
both Arnhem and Oosterbeek. What is even more significant was that this
information was only discovered in 1994, on the occasion of the 50th
Anniversary of D-Day, the Battle of Normandy. The book is: British Military Markings 1939-1945 ('A Comprehensive Guide to the Formation Signs, Arm-of-Service Badges and Colours, Unit Serials, Tactical Signs, and Other Markings displayed on British Military Vehicles in World War` 2'), Hodges, P. and Taylor, M. D., Cannon
Publications (Almark revised), 1994, ISBN 10: 1899695001/ISBN 13:
978189965003. It is important to remember that it is the revised edition (1994), not the original (1971), that contains corrections in an extensive revision and update. The book is out of print and most sought after, realizing prices
of upwards of $200.00 USD for the hardback edition.
As can be summarized from the above table the following represents the most accurate information available to date of AoS numbers and colors for the listed units:
156th Parachute Battalion - '67' on Green Square (Not '60')
10th Parachute Battalion - '68' on Green Square (Not '61')
11th Parachute Battalion - '69' on Green Square (Not '62')
1st Battalion The Border Regiment (Airlanding) - '113' on Brown Square (Not '69')
2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (Airlanding) - '110' on Brown Square (Not '67')
7th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (Airlanding) - '111' on Brown Square (Not '68')
4th Parachute Brigade Headquarters - '94' on Green Square (Not '87')
1st Airlanding Brigade Headquarters - '109' on Brown Square (Not '94')
21st Independent Parachute Company - '73' on Black Square* (Not '50')
1st Anti-Tank Battery RA (Airlanding) - '46' on Red/Blue Horizontal Square (Not '47')
2nd Anti-Tank Battery RA (Airlanding) - '46' on Red/Blue Horizontal Square (Not '47")
1st Light Regiment RA (Airlanding) - '42' on Red/Blue Horizontal Square (Not '46')
1st Airborne Divisional Signals - '52' on White/Blue Horizontal Square (Not '40')
181st Field Ambulance (Airlanding) - '117' on Black Square (Not '77')
1st Airborne Divisional Workshops (REME) - '88' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square (Not '40')
1st Light Aid Detachment (REME) (Airlanding) Attached to 1st Para Bde - '81' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square
6th Light Aid Detachment (REME) (Airlanding) Attached to 4th Para Bde - '77' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square
(Unk) Light Aid Detachment (REME) (Airlanding) Attached to 1st Airlanding Bde - '109' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square
13th Light Aid Detachment (REME) (Airlanding) - '117' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square
253rd Composite Company (RASC) - '72' on Red/Green Diagonal Square (Not '73')
1st Airborne Divisional Field Park (RAOC) - '89' on Blue/Red/Blue Vertical Square (Not '92')
16th Parachute Field Ambulance - '75' on Black Square
133rd Parachute Field Ambulance - '77' on Black Square (Not '76')
1st Parachute Squadron RE - '50' on Blue Square (Not '49')
4th Parachute Squadron RE - '51' on Blue Square (Not '50')
261st Field Park Company RE - '48' on Blue Square (Not '52')
9th Field Company RE - '49' on Blue Square (Not '51')
The numbers and colors for the headquarters and battalions of the 1st Parachute Brigade are correct and consistent in all three of the charts:
!st Parachute Brigade Headquarters - '81' on Red Square
1st Parachute Battalion - '55' on Red Square
2nd Parachute Battalion - '56' on Red Square
3rd Parachute Battalion - '57' on Red Square
Please note that in the following chart the square shown for the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron is in error, as are those for the REME Light Aid Detachments.
Addendum:
In their book,'BRITISH AIRBORNE JEEPS 1942-1945: MODIFICATIONS AND MARKINGS', R. Van Meel and M. Baan cite that the following additional markings were used on the jeeps of the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron at Arnhem. Each jeep had on its front-mounted spare tire a troop identification marking; diamond for Headquarters Troop, triangle for A Troop, circle for C Troop, and square for D Troop. In the center of these markings is a number. Probably a vehicle loading number within the squadron, e.g. 15 inside square (D Troop), 18 inside circle ( C Troop), 21 inside triangle (A Troop). Supposedly both the geometric shapes and numbers were painted in white. These markings can be photographically corroborated by two images in the book, 'REMEMBER ARNHEM' by John Fairley. They also cite the use of Bridge Classification Discs with the number '6'. Again one of the images in Fairley's book confirms this, but the number is barely discernible.
In their book,'BRITISH AIRBORNE JEEPS 1942-1945: MODIFICATIONS AND MARKINGS', R. Van Meel and M. Baan cite that the following additional markings were used on the jeeps of the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron at Arnhem. Each jeep had on its front-mounted spare tire a troop identification marking; diamond for Headquarters Troop, triangle for A Troop, circle for C Troop, and square for D Troop. In the center of these markings is a number. Probably a vehicle loading number within the squadron, e.g. 15 inside square (D Troop), 18 inside circle ( C Troop), 21 inside triangle (A Troop). Supposedly both the geometric shapes and numbers were painted in white. These markings can be photographically corroborated by two images in the book, 'REMEMBER ARNHEM' by John Fairley. They also cite the use of Bridge Classification Discs with the number '6'. Again one of the images in Fairley's book confirms this, but the number is barely discernible.
13 comments:
As someone who has worked with primary documents in the national archives, I have to point out that just because an order was produced outlining a desired method, it does not mean that method was adhered to in the field, or for that matter, not superceded a month, a week, or even a day later by another document that somehow did not make it into the archival record. While interesting, the book cited (I own a copy) would do well to back up the claims re: Airborne arm of service markings and colours with either anecdotal evidence (veteran's reminisces that confirm the numbers) or even better, photographic proof that the serial numbers cited were actually used.
Hello, could you confirm that the Recce Sqn tac colours where Green/Blue..and not the green/yellow, could you please confirm as there is a lot of discussion/debate with these colour!
Hello Mike,
In response to your query regarding the Arm of Service (AoS) vehicle tactical marking used by the Ist Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron of the British 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem and Oosterbeek.
The only contemporary empirical evidence of the colors I’m aware of are in the photographs of Lt John Christie’s wrecked jeep on Utrechtsweg, Oosterbeek, and the partially obscured (by shovel blade and haft) view of a jeep of A Troop. Although the first iconic photograph is at an oblique angle there is light on the area of the right side of the front bumper, showing the “41” AoS sign. The second photo, while at a better angle and closer, is obscured. The same photographs, which are shown John Fairley’s book REMEMBER ARNHEM, aren’t any clearer.
As a retired intelligence officer my experience in photo-interpretation is unfortunately limited to aerial photography. However, based on the second photo, personally believe that if the top color were yellow there would be a different contrast with that portion of the white “41” showing. My personal opinion is that the colors are green over cobalt blue with a horizontal division of the colors. Whether he is correct or not Jean Bouchery uses the same colors and configuration in all of his books. You may also want to glance at http://www.fireandfury.com/britinfo/divmarkings.pdf . and http://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/warpaint-colours-and-markings-british-army-vehicles-1903-2003-volume-3 .
Which REME serial was used at the battle of arnhem?
Hello Joostini,
Thank you for your interest. To the best of my knowledge the REME Headquarters (Divisional Workshops) used ‘88’, and the Light Aid Detachments used the following numbers (all in white);
1st Light Aid Detachment (REME) (Airlanding) Attached to 1st Para Bde - '81' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square
6th Light Aid Detachment (REME) (Airlanding) Attached to 4th Para Bde - '77' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square
(Unk) Light Aid Detachment (REME) (Airlanding) Attached to 1st Airlanding Bde - '109' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square
13th Light Aid Detachment (REME) (Airlanding) - '117' on Red/Yellow/Blue Square
Sincere thanks for diplomatically pointing out the inconsistencies,i.e. mistakes. At the time I was focused on the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron. Will be reviewing/reconciling REME units as best I can. I’m still not certain whether the un-numbered LAD attached to the 1st Aiirlanding Brigade and the 13th LAD aren’t one in the same.
Thank you and best regards,
Jim
Thanks for the answere.
The reason i am asking, i want to reenact REME '81' and wanted to know if they where there in Arnhem in september 1944.
Thanks.
Joost
I have almost finished a nut and bolt rebuild of a 1942 Airborne Ford Jeep and would like to replicate a jeep belonging 1st Para Sqn RE. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the markings apart from the Blue square with 49 on it? And of the equipment it would have had. Thanks. Rod Ex 9 Para Sqn RE
fabulous resource thank you for your work Jim, marking up my division this year for my 20mm collection
cheers
Matt
Excellent work by Arnhem Jim and useful comments. I'm very grateful.
would like information on vehicle markings for polish independant parachute brigade,marketgardenand my second question is did the brigade have austin tillys there in arnhem?
Hello Anonymous,
In the book POLES APART The Polish Airborne at the Battle of Arnhem, there is one picture of a Polish Brigade Airborne Jeep, belonging to 181st Airlanding Field Ambulance.
Across the lower portion of the front windshield (windscreen) reading from left to right in the photo are; a white ‘117’. Next is a small circle (unidentified color) with the block letters “PL” non-shirif . Next is a standard yellow bridging circle (2/3). Last is a white outlined square containing the profile of a diagonally “diving eagle”( colors unidentifiable, but could be maroon/lt blue. There is a small white star in normal location adjacent to the driver’s doorway (should be matched on other side). A large Red Cross on a white roundel is in the standard location on the bonnet. No markings are visible on the bumper. This is the only contemporary Polish jeep photo with markings I have in my archives.
With regard to the Austin Tilly, they may have had some for administrative use, but to the best of my knowledge only jeeps went into combat, if for no other reason the size limitations imposed by the Airspeed AS-51 Horsa Glider. Hope this has proven helpful.
Regards,
Arnhem Jim
hello Arnhem Jim , do you have any photographs showing motorcycle markings of 1st airborne division ?
Dear Anonymous,
Unfortunately even with a fairly extensive reference library I don't have any specific images of 1st AB Div motorcycle markings. The photos I do have show a white capital letter "C" (about 2-3 inches in height, no serif), followed by a period, then an eight digit white serial number. The letter is either centered above the number, or part of a single line centered on the cycle's gas tank on each side, depending upon the tank's configuration. There does not appear to be any other markings on the cycles. Hopefully this is of some assistance.
Best regards,
Arnhem Jim
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