"Western Desert: British Aerial Pennants-?" Topic

I was re-reading 'Brazen Chariots' and the author writes (pgs. 22-23):

"…the wireless aerials were released, and floating from the top of them were the twin yellow pennants which each British tank carried for identification."

I'm not sure if the author was referring to all the tanks in his Brigade or 'all' British tanks at that time (Crusader) in the Western Desert'?

Looking at my references/plates there are colors other than yellow depicted so I'm wondering if the color was based on unit preference, etc. – ?

Based on regiments position in the brigade as well as command level. I don't have my notes with me, but if someone else doesn't chime in here, zi'll post a summary later tonight.

Rich: Thanks!

Ok. A quick summary. Color was dictated by seniority in the brigade. Senior regiment – red, Middle – yellow, Junior – Blue

Most tanks would have been 'troop' tanks with two small triangle pennants, troop command tanks would have three triangles, squadron HQ would have a swallowtail pennant under the two triangles. Finally, the regiment commander would have a large rectangle pennant under the two triangles.

Hope this helps.

Rich: Thanks very much – that's the info I was looking for!

The position and number of pennants was apparently one of those things that were changed frequently to confuse the enemy with two up top being a common variation.