Use of Allied Star

[Barry Hampton]

Does anyone know when the Allied Star became widespread on Canadian vehicles (particularly Jeeps). I'm guessing at 1944, as many photos show no markings other than bonnet numbers, Div and Tac signs. As my Jeep is 42 and done in 2nd Div markings, I'd like to get it right.

Thanks for any help/advice.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Barry,

IIRC, the star was mandated for use on all Allied vehicles for Normandy & beyond, for air and ground recognition purposes (similar to the roundel painted on British/Canadian/Commonwealth vehicles in Italy). You'll note from the photographic evidence as time went on, the stars were less & less visible as they tended to attract the wrong kind of attention...

If you want to portray your jeep as being in service in Northwest Europe, you can't go wrong with small stars (5" point-to-point rings a bell) painted on the left rear flanks but naturally semi-obscured by large or small packs hung over the sides. There should be a larger one on the hood as well, but evidence shows that later in the war, that may or may not have been painted over; if anything it was there but obscured by a camouflage net or whatever. The thing is, front-line vehicles were allowed great latitude in how they were kitted out, so use your imagination!

Originally Posted by Barry Hampton

Does anyone know when the Allied Star became widespread on Canadian vehicles (particularly Jeeps). I'm guessing at 1944, as many photos show no markings other than bonnet numbers, Div and Tac signs. As my Jeep is 42 and done in 2nd Div markings, I'd like to get it right.

Thanks for any help/advice.

[Barry Hampton]

Thanks Geoff. I may just go for the hood star and leave it at that. If I had thought on, I would have done it in 1st Div which gives a lot more scope, from England to Sicily to Italy to NW Europe ( a busy little unit).

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Barry,

See the thread Crooked white star for the original instructions published 16 April 1944.

Hope this helps,
Hanno

[Barry Hampton]

Thanks Hanno. I may just do it crooked!