BEF Artillery Markings

Discussion in '1940' started by May1940, Feb 17, 2011.

  1. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    Yes you can use any of the photos to ID, Thanks for the input. I have been away, just got back.
     
  2. chrisgrove

    chrisgrove Senior Member

    Hi guys

    This pic has been staring me in the face for some time without me noticing it! It is also shown in Vanderveens pre 1940 Observers Book, and shows a Morris CD Recce car belonging to a Corps Medium Regiment displaying AoS 12 with a Corps bar above. On the right is some sort of triangular sign, perhaps split into three colours as per a previous post, but I cannot see a Corps sign to tell us which Corps!

    Does this help the thread along?

    Chris

    http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/chrismmgrove/morrisCDreccecar-BEF-01.jpg
     
  3. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    Hi guys

    This pic has been staring me in the face for some time without me noticing it! It is also shown in Vanderveens pre 1940 Observers Book, and shows a Morris CD Recce car belonging to a Corps Medium Regiment displaying AoS 12 with a Corps bar above. On the right is some sort of triangular sign, perhaps split into three colours as per a previous post, but I cannot see a Corps sign to tell us which Corps!

    Does this help the thread along?

    Chris

    http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/chrismmgrove/morrisCDreccecar-BEF-01.jpg

    Chris

    Strangely enough I just posted the same picture in another 1940 thread talking about a commanding officer's car.

    I agree that the triangle must be another geometric artillery tac sign but just can't see clearly what it is. It looks to be divided vertically as well as across the bottom part. My guess is it is red at left, blue at right and white below.

    Here is another Morris CD 6x4 car with a triangular marking. This time more elaborate and with not even an AoS sign to identify the owners.

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=48683&stc=1&d=1302339856

    Were both these pics taken in France? The one I have posted here has a UK feel to it.

    Andrew
     

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  4. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Chris, I think that you need to post on the intros thread and then start new threads for each of your relatives. The chances of them being found here on the end of an extremely esoteric artillery markings thread is not all that great.
    Good Luck with your research.
    Rich
     
  5. rewdco

    rewdco Senior Member

    Here's another picture from the axis history forum:

    [​IMG]

    Jan
     
  6. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    Here's another picture from the axis history forum:


    Jan

    This is a good find but I am not sure what I can say. This Guy Quad Ant could be in France as the vehicle in the left background looks French. there is a Morris FAT just behind it on the other side. Friderici (if that is what it says on the side) could be a person's name or a species of South African fern!

    Two different vehicle numbers is a mystery as is the lighter shade of paint on the door. It does however look like a familiar geometric artillery sign with two colours split vertically up top (red left and blue right?) and a lighter colour below (yellow, green or blue?)

    Anyone with any ideas?

    Andrew
     
  7. rewdco

    rewdco Senior Member

    Andrew,

    Looks as if the door has been replaced with a door from a similar Guy. The camouflage could be the proof of this "theory"...

    Jan
     
  8. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    I agree that looks likely. Strange then that the number on the door look like the right location and in the right number sequence but the other number looks like the wrong location, font and number.

    Andreww
     
  9. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    I think that the number is in the same sequence as the H3924541 but as it's stencilled, the first '3' looks more like a '5' It looks like H3924367.

    Contract V3372 was allocated H3924296 - H3924739.
     
  10. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    This photo just arrived today in the post, has a sign on the door of the Scammell , the photo was dark when i bought it.
     

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  11. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    Just found the same gun and scammell photo taken from the other side, nice german MG on cart in the background. Photo from my collection/book.
     

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  12. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    This photo just arrived today in the post, has a sign on the door of the Scammell , the photo was dark when i bought it.

    Keith

    According to Peter Taghon in 'Mai 1940' these pictures were taken in Westouter.

    Using Google I made a bird's eye view of the street and showed each picture and where it was taken. This is attached as a pdf file.

    Geometric markings appear on the doors of the Scammells and we can see they are towing 6 inch 26 cwt howitzers with pneumatic tyres. What I haven't been able to do yet is identify the unit. There are no AoS signs. Can anyone help?

    Andrew
     
  13. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    Thanks Andrew, its good to get more info on the photos.
     
  14. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    Just found the same gun and scammell photo taken from the other side, nice german MG on cart in the background. Photo from my collection/book.

    Keith

    Is there enough detail in your original picture to read what is written on the building behind or to identify the item with the British tyre behind the German AA wagon?

    Andrew
     
  15. Hengiste

    Hengiste Junior Member

    Guys, after reading the 1RHA war diaries, which unfortunately are cut short at the point of Battle in May 1940, I keep coming up with the Unit Serial Number of '0052''. Is this anything to do with its Unit number?
     
  16. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    Guys, after reading the 1RHA war diaries, which unfortunately are cut short at the point of Battle in May 1940, I keep coming up with the Unit Serial Number of '0052''. Is this anything to do with its Unit number?

    Having peered at the docs you posted I can also see that serial. I think it is a movement serial which was allotted to each unit travelling over to France. If I ever manage to gather all the information I will put a list of these serials in my next booklet. 1 RHA were supposed to be part of 1 Armd Div Support Group and the number 0052 fits well into the 1 Armd Div sequence of numbers.

    Andrew
     
  17. Neilie

    Neilie Member

    Hi Folks,

    I am currently modeling a 1/76 scale early Matador towing a 60 pdr gun. I was inspired by various pictures on this forum showing a disabled combination during BEF actions in France.
    My question is, there is at least one picture of a period vehicle on excercise somewhere in the UK pulling a 6" gun (I think) but the registration on each side of the front begins with an "L" not and "H" as you would expect for a gun tractor. Other period photos show registrations but they are basically unreadable.
    Does anyone know if early models were designated simply as Lorries "L" or was this an "oddball"? Built up models of the early version show them with an "H".
    Any help would be appreciated.

    Cheers,

    Neil
     
  18. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    Hi Folks,

    I am currently modeling a 1/76 scale early Matador towing a 60 pdr gun. I was inspired by various pictures on this forum showing a disabled combination during BEF actions in France.
    My question is, there is at least one picture of a period vehicle on excercise somewhere in the UK pulling a 6" gun (I think) but the registration on each side of the front begins with an "L" not and "H" as you would expect for a gun tractor. Other period photos show registrations but they are basically unreadable.
    Does anyone know if early models were designated simply as Lorries "L" or was this an "oddball"? Built up models of the early version show them with an "H".
    Any help would be appreciated.

    Cheers,

    Neil

    Neil

    Someone else will assist with the H / L question but just for the sake of correctness, the pictures shown on this site were of a Matador with a 4.5"/60 pounder belonging to 69 Medium Regiment. Externally I understand the gun appeared identical to the 60 pounder but they re-lined the barrels. Only two regiments had them in France.

    I hope you will post a picture of your model when it is done.

    Andrew
     
  19. Neilie

    Neilie Member

    Thanks, Andrew. That helps as if I can't get the 60 pdr kit, my fall-back position will be to do exactly the model in the picture with the 4.5". I believe I could use and cut down a 7.2" with different wheels to make one. I will post a picture when done.
    If you are interested I have recently done an Albion/3.7" AA; Scammell R100/7.2" and a Bedford QLB/Bofors. They all are posted on the Airfix Tribute Forum under "scratchbuilt" and "conversions".

    Cheers,

    Neil
     
  20. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Phoenix2 has posted a couple of RA photos with geometric markings, and implies he knows the Battery...
     

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