WWII British 1st and 6th Airborne Div AoS Serial Numbers

[Arnhemjim]

A peripheral subject, but hopefully someone on this forum can tell me whether the Arm of Service (AoS) Serial Numbers in white and background colored squares used in vehicle identification markings during WWII were the same for both the British 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions?
Sincere thanks for any assistance.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

[Mike Jackson]

In theory the same system was used by 1 AB Div and 6 AB Div, but there were, inevitably, exceptions. For example, 1 AB Div's 1 AL Recce Sqn used 41 on green/blue whilst 6 AB Div's Armd Recce Sqn used 85 on maroon.
As far as was possible within the dictates of the Order of Battle, the unit serials conformed to those in use in Inf Divs

[Tankie2RTR]

differ on the 1st AB recce tac sign.

I used to be a member of a living history group that portrays the recce squadron and work very closely with the last surviving old boys from the Sqn who kindly informed us while we were in the process of restoring a number of jeeps which they used that their tac signs on the jeeps where green over yellow with the 41.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

In theory the same system was used by 1 AB Div and 6 AB Div, but there were, inevitably, exceptions. For example, 1 AB Div's 1 AL Recce Sqn used 41 on green/blue whilst 6 AB Div's Armd Recce Sqn used 85 on maroon.
As far as was possible within the dictates of the Order of Battle, the unit serials conformed to those in use in Inf Divs

My source for info on 1 AL Recce Sqn is WW2 Military Vehicle Markings by Terence Wise 1981. British Military Markings 1939-1945 Peter Hodges 1971 states - Green/Blue was standard for Armd Recce Regts in Armd Divs (serial 45) and Recce Regts in Inf Divs (serial 41). I would comment that if green/yellow was used, that will have been unique to that unit.

Just for interest: 1 Border, 1 AL Bde - very good for detail of markings and the British modification of a light (and switch) to illuminate the serial 113 painted on the differential housing:
Jeep.09.1 AL Bde Border Regt.jpg

[Mike_2817]

My notes state (from various sources)

All Sub-Units wore Regimental TAC Colours with code on LH side plus White Pegasus on Maroon on RH side
or stencilled in white directly on vehicle.

AB Div HQ - Black 40

Recce Sqn - Green over Blue 41

For my own area of reserch:

HQ RAOC - Blue/Red/Blue Vertical Bars 40
RAOC OFP - Blue/Red/Blue Vertical Bars 92
ROAC Laundry & Bath Unit - Blue/Red/Blue Vertical Bars 52

[Mike Jackson]

To add to your RAOC collection (all on blue/red/blue):
Armd Div OFP - 97

30 Armd Bde OFP - 676
31 Armd Bde OFP - 136
1 Asslt Bde OFP - 1232
50 Inf Div OFP - 92
(the four above all when subordinate to 79 Armd Div)

HQ Corps Tps RAOC - 78
Corps Tps OFP - 75
ML & BU Type A - 72
ML & BU Type B - 18, 19 and 20
Ord Ammn Coys - 13, 14, 15

Mike

[Mike_2817]

Thanks for that Mike, I knew of some of them already, but nice to get confirmation

No two OFP's held the same stock, as they were scaled for the equipment held by Bde/Div which at times differed considerably. As a unit re-equiped with a new vehicle/AFV/equipment so to did the Ordnance Field Parks (later known as Ordnance Companies) with parts being backloaded/receipted keeping that OFP bespoke.

Ammunition Companies needed to keep stock holdings in line with theatre needs as well, with rear & forward stock holding.

Base Depots needed to keep uniform holdings (inc badges) upto date, the further back in the supply chain you go the older the items are held!

[Arnhemjim]

Gentlemen,
My sincere thanks to all of you for your quick and knowledgeable replies
Arnhem Jim

[Belly]

Gents

See attached from the book- British Military Markings 1939-1945 by Peter Hodges and Michael D Taylor

cheers
Paul

[Arnhemjim]

Paul,
Most sincere thanks for the definitive/conclusive original source information. As is still signaled in both the US and Royal Navy, "Bravo Zulu" (Well Done)!
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory