Fantastic, got my bike in Shiny 9th so could you send me a copy also .

email (option): chriscool@sky.com

Oh no..... the rivet counters will be scrubbing markings off their tanks now :grinning:

Well done for finding that out Rik :+1:

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Very interesting and a great find... My WM20 is a 43 so I guess Ill just stick to the plan of just the C number

email (option): wadeschields@mindspring.com

In practice, formation signs were widely used throughout WW2 and continue to be to the present day, with or without "rule" books!

I have extensive photo files sorted by WD Serial ('census') numbers and in fact it's very difficult to find images of motorcycles which went into service with the British Army later than 1940 displaying Divisional or Corps type Formation signs....all other vehicles did, of course.

Post-war use or by the allies using British equipment such as Canada or Poland etc. isn't the subject of this instruction.

It's easy to say 'in practice formmation signs were widely used' but it is contrary to Army Council Instructions that 'Arm of Service' markings be displayed on both front sides of motorcycle fuel tanks and quite frankly the photographic record doesn't support their widespread use from 1941 onwards.

Amen to that Rik!!!

Lex

email (option): welbike@welb**e.net

Hi Rik,this photo taken in 1944 has 30 corps sign on the front mud guard,the five pages are from a large folder from a soldier who went to France in 1939,there are odd bits about M/Cs in it as shown on the first five pages,but most of the vehicle info covers four wheels,will go through it to find any more M/C info if you are interested,in the first five pages theres info on formation signs.

I'm always interested in the content of BEF-era documentation, Steve. Fascinating stuff.

Is that photo 1944 or the spring of 1945 ? The 'open-flap' headlamp mask makes me suspect that air-supremacy was beyond doubt. It's interesting that the sign is on the mudguard. Although unauthorised, they haven't applied it in an incorrect position, where the armo of service sign was specified.

I see he has tyre pressures and a fairly invisible allied star as well....I doubt a passing Typhoon pilot would see that...:laughing:....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Tiffie pilots identified their targets. P47s were more of a worry. :face_with_rolling_eyes:

'2' even though it lacks the Corps bar must mean 73rd Anti-tank Regt. in the context of 3 Corps...It does seem as if he liked to have as many markings as possible.

Another 30 Corps M20, I can't read the census number unfortunatly, it has the white "Corps" bar above the Arm of service serial, but 69 doesn't seem correct?

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

I wonder if it's an "8" from the Casualty Clearance Station ? Can you read his shoulder title ?

No, but he is wearing a RAOC cap badge in the photo in hospital blues. The 69 is quite faint I wonder if the bike was exchanged by an Infantry Battalion and it hasn't been repainted yet?

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

These Germans take no notice of the rules whatsoever...3rd. Panzer Div., probably early in the Russian campaign....:laughing: ...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Originally I thought this was Italy 1944, but I'm now thinking it was more like Greece during the Civil War of 1945.
There is something on the front mudguard, but I can't make it out.



Mark

email (option): pes.sales@btconnect.com