 John the OFM  | 13 Dec 2011 7:41 p.m. PST |
I am painting up some Shermans for a friend's FoW British Late War Rifle Company. I have a box O'decals, and was wondering what to use. Did they get white stars?
Colored circles, squares or triangles?
Division markings? Which for infantry support?
What color squares, with what numbers? Thanks. |
| epturner | 13 Dec 2011 8:21 p.m. PST |
John;
Depends on the Division, etc, etc. Contact me off TMP and I can make a recommendation. Unless you'd rather listen to "whinge and whine" from The Huddled Masses. Eric |
| John the OFM | 13 Dec 2011 9:25 p.m. PST |
Email sent. BTW, he does have a piper for 2inC, so it's probably in the Highland Division. |
| epturner | 13 Dec 2011 11:01 p.m. PST |
So he really needs a "Sheep Diversion Platoon"… With helmets. Eric |
| Martin Rapier | 14 Dec 2011 2:45 a.m. PST |
"Did they get white stars?
Colored circles, squares or triangles?
Division markings? Which for infantry support?
What color squares, with what numbers?" British Shermans usually had air recognition stars on the turrets but that was it. The circles, squares and triangles are squadron markings, so as typically a troop or squadron would support a particular infantry battalion, they will all be the same symbol. Similarly colours are (usually) per regiment, so they will all be red, yellow or blue at troop/squadron level. Troop numbers are optional at the whim of the regimental CO. Tanks for infantry support would be drawn from one of the independant tank or armoured brigades. I don't think 51st HD was ever supported by anyone except 34th Tank Brigade (Churchills) but hey, whatever. 8th Armoured Brigade (Shermans) is a good choice for NWE, I have a particular fondness for 4/7th Dragoon Guards. potted history here: link |
| Cardinal Hawkwood | 14 Dec 2011 3:45 a.m. PST |
and a star in circle on the engine deck was common , a squadronsymbol in the regimental seniority colour, division or brigade symbol , brigade id number and brigde weight number..all of these are common afirely thus
& 11th Hussars
RHA
motor battalion
|
| Martin Rapier | 14 Dec 2011 4:47 a.m. PST |
Ah yes, bridge markings, my favourite British vehicle symbol:) |
| NigelM | 14 Dec 2011 4:49 a.m. PST |
The Independant Armoured Brigades each had different AoS numbering styles. See here for details; link Several example vehicles can be seen here armouredacorn.com/ncvm.html There are also many instances of Infantry divisions being supported by Shermans from Armoured divisions too! 51st Highland were supported by 4th Armoured Brigade for D-Day so that's one option. Black Jerboa unit symbol red, AoS with 121-124. PDF link Note 4th Armoured was issued with Sherman II (M4A1) at the time though. |
| NigelM | 14 Dec 2011 5:50 a.m. PST |
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| Jemima Fawr | 14 Dec 2011 9:44 a.m. PST |
Cat-torturing and skirt-wearing Scottish regiments weren't just found in the 51st (Highland) Division. They were also present in the 3rd, 15th (Scottish), 49th (West Riding) and 53rd (Welsh) – yes, really – Infantry Divisions in Normandy. So at some point, all of the independent armoured brigades will have supported a Scottish regiment, so just pick your favourite. Nigel, While 4th Armoured Brigade did come ashore with 51st (Highland) Division on D+1, they immediately went into Corps reserve. 4th Armoured Bde therefore saw its first action supporting 11th Armoured Division and 15th (Scottish) Division during Operation 'Epsom'. 51st (Highland) Div meanwhile went into the Orne Bridgehead, where they were supported by elements of 27th Armoured Brigade. I'd pick 33rd Armoured Brigade as a good choice for 51st (Highland) Division, as they supported them during Operation 'Totalize'. |
| John the OFM | 14 Dec 2011 10:34 a.m. PST |
So at some point, all of the independent armoured brigades will have supported a Scottish regiment, so just pick your favourite. Now, that's the type of advice I like to hear.  |
examines another pre-painted building for WWII.
