1 Aust Armd Div marking directive dated March 1942

[Shane Lovell]

Dear colleagues

Whilst going through the on-line war diaries of Headquarters 1st Australian Armoured Division I found a comprehensive marking directive dated March 1942.

Within the directive was a template for the divisions formation sign along with example drawings for the following vehicles:

Chevrolet DS car
Ford DS car
Bren MG carrier
US M3 Scout car
Six seater recce car
Ford 3 ton truck
Ford ? ton truck
International utility

The directive also illustrates the dimensions and colours of squadron tactical signs and solves a mystery regarding the painting of the inside of the squadron sign. The directive states that the inside of the squadron tactical sign is to be painted grey. This explains some pictures of Australian Grant tanks that display a different colour inside the Squadron tactical sign than the overall colour. Interestingly, a note at the bottom of the page states 'grey denotes vehicle colour'. Clearly, someone forgot to read that!

Other items of interest in the dairy include an assessment of the M3 Armoured car and papers on the organisation of an armoured car regiment.

The url is: http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/ww2/folder.asp?folder=124

Then look at the Jan - April 1942 diary.

cheers

Shane

[jim sewell]

Thanks Shane , makes interesting reading .
Regards
Jim S.

[cliff]

That is a good find Shane. First time I have seen drawings of the International & Ford 4 X 2 trucks and the position of the markings.

Thanks for sharing

Cheers
Cliff

[Ryan]

Excellent find, kind regards.

[Big D]

Hi all,

I realise this is an old post but does anyone know if the AWM link supplied is still live? For the life of me I can't seem to locate the diary referred to.

Thanks.

[Mike Cecil]

It takes you to the header page OK, then you have to use the live 'Headquarters' link, to work your way down to 'Divisions', then 1/2 way down the Div list is 1st Aust Armoured.

The new system takes some getting used to, but it is worth it. This must be the only museum in the world to put so many war diaries on line and accessible for no charge. The cost of doing and maintaining that was very high.

The diaries are a wealth of information, but you have to spend the time working your way through all sorts of less exciting stuff to find gems like Shane has informed you about.

Mike C

[Big D]

Hi Mike

Great stuff. Thanks. I now have it. Very interesting.

A great find Shane.