21st. Army group Vehicle signs

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

"1680 ARTILLERY PLATOON RASC (LIGHT) IN NORTH WEST EUROPE 1944 - 1945.

I did not know this unit, a quick search yielded the following:

"The January 2011 Edition of The Military Heraldry Society’s Formation Sign recorded that the windmill vehicle sign illustrated appears in a privately produced history 'The Windmill Boys: The Story of the 1680 Artillery Platoon RASC (Light)'. The Platoon was formed on 11th January 1944 as 1680 Artillery Platoon, RASC (Light) upon a cadre from 739 Coy, RASC part of 22 Transport Column. The Coy also commanded 1673, 1678, 1679, 1686 and 1687 Platoons. Each Platoon comprised five Transport Sections plus HQ Section. In August 1944 1680 Platoon were attached to 147 (Essex Yeomanry) Field Regt, RA. Two months later the Platoon adopted the unofficial windmill vehicle sign shown on the authority of its OC in order to make the Platoon vehicles more recognisable.

A marking with a similar theme appears in the pamphlet, part of which is illustrated in the earlier answer, the note on the back confirming it was printed by 21 AG’s Printing and Stationery Services. It shows over eighty signs attributed to RASC units. It is not explained where or how they were used but as the photo shows they probably appeared on vehicle doors and were approved at unit level.

The windmill sign shown is attributed to 710 (General Transport) Company. The other two shown are for 780 (Corps HQ Car) Coy, the boar’s head on a background of wartime RASC tactical marking colours suggesting they worked for 30 Corps and 39 (GT) Company – which obviously had a connection with 3rd Infantry Division"

Source: https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...226#post238226

They operated in Holland:

"A group photograph of some of the men in the unit taken at Platoon Headquarters, "De Elshof", Berkenhof, south of Hatert, Holland, at the end of Operation Market Garden, 23 September 1944. The men are: back row left to right, "Steve" Stephenson, Len Haslam, Vic Robbins (water dutyman), Cyril Lambert (the units oldest man) and George Drinkwater."

IWM HU 66245.jpg
Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205039833


One of the platoon's Sergeants is in fact buried in Leopoldsburg, Belgium:
"OWEN, Sjt. FRANCIS ENGLAND, T/5618131. 1680 Artillery Platoon, R.A.S.C. 10th September, 1944. Age 30. Son of Francis England Owen and Isabel Belinda Owen, of Combe Martin, Devon. IV. B. 1. "
Source: http://anguline.co.uk/Free/Leopoldsburg.pdf


Fought their way through Germany:
"Don-R Eddie Edmond (front of truck), Corporal Aubrey Harrin and Driver Ted Brinton (who was slightly injured ) immediately after the attack upon 1680 Platoon in Kleve (Cleve). See photograph HU 66247. Note the Fox's head formation sign on the rear of the lorry, indicating that 1680 Platoon were part of the 8th Armoured Brigade."
IWM HU 66248.jpg
Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205039836

"A photograph of Ackerstrasse looking north east towards Kleve (Cleve) town centre showing the debris and damage caused by an attack upon 1680 Platoon vehicles. "One of the tilt frames outlined in the distance is from the vehicle used as a guard-room where Guard Commander, Lance Corporal Buckle was killed. To the right of the two burnt out three tonners are the remains of the water truck (Driver Arthur Pratley) and a 15 cwt truck. The buildings on the far right were the officers billets, the cookhouse being on the near corner. The debris in the foreground is from the destroyed signals truck.""
IWM HU 66247.jpg
Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205039835


And ended the war in Berlin:
"Three German children stand next to the platoon HQ sign (the Windmill) the middle sign depicts the Berlin garrison roundel. Taken in Spandau, Berlin, summer 1945."
IWM HU 66253.jpg
Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205039841

"Vehicles of the unit parked on the Hakenfeldstrasse, Berlin, Summer 1945."
IWM HU 66254.jpg
Source:https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205039842