The question has been asked on another thread (if not another forum) about the Arm of Service sign on the 3rd Carabiniers tanks. They were, at the time, part of 254 Indian Tank Brigade in Burma in 1944. One picture of one of their tanks shows (I couldn't see it until a kind soul went into more detail for me) the AoS number of 4 upon a square which is divided horizontally into two (like the Royal Artillery AoS). The top half is darker and the bottom half appears to be much the same colour as a pick handle adjacent. It has been suggested that, maybe, the square is blue and tan, as used by Independent Tank Brigades for some periods of the war. Does anyone have positive info on the colour of this sign? There is little in print about such matters concerning the Indian Army. Chris
It should be upper half in red and lower in yellow colour http://www.fireandfury.com/painting/burmaarmypaintingguide.pdf
Thanks for this, Sol. I note that the author of this most useful guide does not cite any authority for his assertion that the tanks of 254 and 255 Indian Tank Brigades used the AoS square painted red and yellow, divided horizontally. That other thread I mentioned did not think the top colour was red - though working from one black and white photo. One does wonder why they used red and yellow since other Independent Tank Brigades used blue and brown or tan (at various times). Chris
Chris, "Jungle Armour, British and Indian Army Shermans in the Far East." give same colour pattern of ToS for Shermans of 255th Indian Tank Brigade (with exceptions of the 9th Royal Deccan Horse which ToS was in rad colour only). In Osprey's "The Stuart light tank series" stays that Stuart tanks of 7th Light Cavalry, which served under 254th Indian Tank Brigade used IAC scarlet and yellow square, even though that on the colour plate, colours were reversed with yellow on the top and red under (mistake maybe?). As a source for this book give Captain Harry Travis from 7th Light Cavalry. Hope this helps
Hi Sol. Everyone seems to agree on this red/yellow AoS square. I just don't know. But it would be nice if anyone could quote a Routine Order, or some such, to support this! Just goes to show, I guess, how little we know about the Far East campaign. But I love that painting guide! Chris
Chris, seems that reason for your question was the question on the another forum Allied WWII AFV Discussion Group: AOS sign of 3rd Carabiniers, Burma I must say that it is very difficult to try to recognise colours on the black and white pictures, compering them by level of darkness/lightness of other things on the picture. Wonder is there anything about this in the Brigade war diaries Enes
