Crooked white star

[lynx42]

I guess if I was driving a GERMAN truck through Europe in the later stages of the War, I would also have BIG recognisable Allied markings too.
I think it's an Opel Blitz.
Regards Rick

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

I note that the Chev has the "Inboard" clearance lights, my C60S's have the holes for both, Hmmmm.....wonder if it was to do with the fitment of the raiator condensor? Just thought of that, it's always bugged me.
Rich

[cliff]

Originally Posted by lynx42

I think it's an Opel Blitz.
Regards Rick

It is a Steyr 1500 ??

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by cliff

It is a Steyr 1500 ??

Yes, the Steyr 1500A light truck.

[TColvin]

Can anyone provide evidence that any Canadian, or British, soldier objected to the Liberation star because it was perceived as American?

There was annoyance among British soldiers about Yanks taking their women, but Canadians did that as well.

There were jibes about Americans being overpaid, oversexed and overhere, answered by Americans saying Brits were underpaid, undersexed and underike.

But I never heard the Liberation star being called American. The need for it was obvious, and there was no alternative, was there?

Neither were the white D-Day stripes painted on all aircraft, to my knowledge, ever described as being American.

Stars and stripes for ever? I don't think it occurred to anyone, and, if it did, no one minded.

They had bigger things on their mind - such as staying alive.

Tony

[lynx42]

I believe the correct term for the Star, be it White, Yellow, with a circle or without is the "Allied Recognition Sign".

The first use of the circle around the star was for operation 'Husky', the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. The recommended colour of that circle was YELLOW. If yellow was not available then white, red or blue in that order.

One Dodge Weapons Carrier here in OZ, had the yellow circle and the name 'Umpire' on the hood, until the owner restored it and just put the white circle. Thus destroying it's authentic provenance.

The American Armoured Corp, did not like removing their pre-war Yellow Star if favour of the ordered White Star. This order came through in December 1942. Infact General Patton kept the Yellow Star on his Scoutcar, Halftrack and Dodge right through the war.

I have a listing of some of the order numbers for the changes to the Allied Signs through WW2, but as I am shifting house, they are boxed up and put somewhere to be re-discovered at a later time.

Hope this helps.
Regards Rick

[Eric B]

I talked to a few Vets who did not like the US Star on their vehicles.

Before D-Day the Canadians and British troops used something similar to the RAF Roundal. It did not stand out as much as the Star and therefore was not as nice of a target to shoot at.

From my understanding the US Forces in Italy were the only ones to use the Star. It was also on all of their vehicles in the UK. The Vets refered to it as the US Star, not the Invasion or Allied star.

They placed the star on the angle to show that they were not US Forces. They also took every oppertunity to muddy, subdue, or paint over it once in the field.

Thanks

Eric

[Rob MacDonald]

They also painted the circle around the star much wider (and the star much smaller) to emphasise the difference.

Most Canadian troops REALLY hated having the US insignia on their vehicles - remember that the No. 1 threat/invasion scenario (from the War of 1812, through the Fenian Raids up until the US actually entered the war in 1941) was an American invasion of Canada and to this day the quickest way to recieve a fist in the mouth is to call a Canadian soldier a 'yank'.

Nothing personal, y'unnerstand - we just aren't and don't want to be Americans.