Vehicle Markings - Second World War - Canadian Army Overseas

This article is Under Construction and as such may be considered incomplete. Information appearing on this page is as accurate as possible but further work is intended before the page will be considered mature and this notice removed.

There has been discussion and uncertainty in various circles about the marking borne by Royal Canadian Corps of Signals vehicles during the Second World War. While this page is being developed, it may be inaccurate or in flux while new information is gathered. If you can contribute to this topic, please do by sending an email to rcsigs@rcsigs.ca!

A Bedford QLT Terminal Equipment Vehicle showing Identification, Unit and Formation Signs

A 3-ton lorry showing Bridge Classification and Identification Signs along with the War Department number

There were many types of Vehicle Markings used overseas in the Second World War, each one to convey a different type of information. This page will outline these markings as they pertain to vehicles used by units of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals.

From early in the war, the British regulated a system of vehicle markings that they had created before the war and continued to evolve and administer after the war began in 1939. As the British and Canadian armies grew to meet the demand for new and different types of formations, the need for unique systems of identification also arose. An early instruction outlined the need for Divisional Signs, Unit Signs and Bridge Classification Signs to ensure efficient traffic control however by war's end, vehicle markings grew to include Formation signs, Unit signs, Tactical signs, Bridge classification signs, War Department/Census numbers and Identification signs.

Formation Signs

Formation signs indicated which formation a vehicle belonged to. The measured 6-1/2 inches high by 9 inches wide and were painted on the left front and right rear fenders of vehicles, or the corresponding position if the vehicle did not have fenders. In the case of motorcycles, direction was given that formation signs were not to be used however this was not universally followed.

	First Canadian Army	The map symbol for an army - a rectangle composed of red/black/red stripes - was used as a vehicle marking, with a gold maple leaf superimposed.
	Canadian Corps	The map symbol for a corps - horizontal red/white/red stripes, superimposed with a gold maple leaf, used until the creation of the 2nd Canadian Corps when it was renamed the 1st Canadian Corps.
	1st Canadian Corps	The map symbol for a corps - horizontal red/white/red stripes - was used as a vehicle marking, with the geometric uniform patch of 1st Canadian Corps (a red diamond) superimposed and a gold maple leaf placed centrally.
	2nd Canadian Corps	The map symbol for a corps - horizontal red/white/red stripes - was used as a vehicle marking, with the geometric uniform patch of 2nd Canadian Corps (a royal blue diamond) superimposed and a gold maple leaf placed centrally.
	1st Canadian Infantry Division	The famous "Old Red Patch" adopted by the division in 1916 as a shoulder badge was emulated by the unit's vehicle marking, a red rectangle with gold maple leaf added.
	2nd Canadian Infantry Division	The 2nd Canadian Division had adopted a royal blue rectangle as its shoulder patch in 1916 and adopted the device in 1941 in a conscious effort to associate itself with the CEF division.
	2nd Canadian Infantry Division	Officers of the division had worn a gold "C-II" device on their patches in the First World War and continued the practice on Service Dress in the Second World War. The "See-Too" device was seen on various divisional literature.
	3rd Canadian Infantry Division	French-grey patches were worn by the original 3rd Division from 1916-1918.
	3rd Canadian Infantry Division	Photos in Normandy show the maple leaf commonly missing.
	4th Canadian (Armoured) Division	The original 4th Division wore green formation patches from 1916-1918 and the armoured division of the Second World War emulated that formation by adopting the same formation patch, and vehicle markings in the same colour.
	5th Canadian (Armoured) Division	A 5th Division had been raised for the First World War but did not see action; it was commanded by Garnet Hughes, who chose a shade of purple known as garnet for the formation patch. The 5th Division of the Second World War continued the tradition, though the shade was referred to as maroon.
	5th Canadian (Armoured) Division	In England, the Division added a "spur" device to the maple leaf on their formation signs and attempted to have this added as a uniform distinction in the same manner as the "C-II". The request was rejected, and the spur was not made an official vehicle marking.
	1st Army Tank Brigade	The Ram device was the original shoulder patch of the 1st Army Tank Brigade, and consequently also appeared on the vehicle marking, as a black silhouette superimposed on a gold maple leaf on a black background. The Ram featured prominently on the Worthington family Arms; Major General Frank Worthington commanded the Canadian AFV School.
	1st Army Tank Brigade 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade	After Dieppe, a new system of differentiating the independent tank brigades was adopted, with coloured bars corresponding to the colour sequence of the divisional flashes (red senior, blue second, French-grey third).
	2nd Army Tank Brigade 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade	After Dieppe, a new system of differentiating the independent tank brigades was adopted, with coloured bars corresponding to the colour sequence of the divisional flashes (red senior, blue second, French-grey third).
	3rd Army Tank Brigade	After Dieppe, a new system of differentiating the independent tank brigades was adopted, with coloured bars corresponding to the colour sequence of the divisional flashes (red senior, blue second, French-grey third).

Unit Signs

The purpose of unit signs was to ensure efficient traffic control and assist in recognition. Unit Signs consisted of two elements, and

Fall of 1940 Divisional Signals unit sign - '52' on a black square

Car 5-cwt of the 4th Medium Regiment Signal Section. Note the serial 176, that of the supported unit

Desptach rider belonging to First Canadian Army Signals

Arm of Service flash and a Serial Number. The Arm of Service flash indicated which corps or service the unit was, and the Serial Number (not to be confused with a Unit Serial, a distinctive 3 or 4 digit number that identified each unit upon mobilization) designated a specific unit within a formation. The Unit Signs were originally coloured plates attached to vehicles by means of metal frames but later in the war they were painted or stenciled directly onto the vehicle.

Early in the war, a standard sequence of serial numbers was assigned for each unit in corps and divisions, to be assigned as needed. The system quickly grew beyond control as a plethora of units were created, new arm of service colours had to be adopted (for Britain's new Reconnaissance Corps and the Royal (Canadian) Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). As well, markings for units outside of division and corps organization had to be established (i.e. independent tank brigades, Army-level units, Line of Communications troops, etc.)

Initial direction directed a black background for RCCS units. At Corps level, serial 31 and 32 (as a spare) were allocated while at division level, 11 was allocated. It was noted that for Signal Sections attached to Infantry Brigades, Artillery or other units, the serial number and the colour of the formation or unit to which they were attached would be adopted.

After the losses in France and Belgium, it was decided to alter the serial numbers of Corps Troops and Divisions. The Corps Signals assignment became 41 and 42 (spare) while the Divisional Signals was assigned 52.

Further changes were made early in 1941. In a letter dated 24 January 1941, C.M.H.Q. issued direction that for Signals Vehicles that "the distinguishing colour for all signals vehicles will be a BLUE and WHITE (horizontal) background, whatever the unit or formation to which they are attached. They will, however, continue to bear the serial number of the unit or formation to which they are attached painted in RED on the the BLUE and WHITE background."

As the war progressed, the assigned serial numbers used for unit signs continually evolved to keep pace with new units and unit types. This can lead to some confusion as numbers could mean different things at different times.

Sections were attached from Divisional Signals and Independent Armoured Brigade Signals to individual brigades, armoured regiments and to Divisional/Brigade troops such as artillery and engineers so a wide range of serial numbers could be found on the the white and blue background. To see a list of serial numbers in use, please see the excellent pages at Canadiansoldiers.com for Infantry Divisions, Armoured Divisions and Independent Armoured Brigades.

First Canadian Army Signals used the serial number 9 but other composite units/sections used their own serial number. While perhaps not complete, please see First Canadian Army Unit Signs for reference.

First Canadian Army Signals		Divisional Signals		1st Armoured Brigade Signals		2nd Armoured Brigade Signals

To research: Early regulations stated that in the case of Corps units, a white horizontal 2 inch bar would be painted above the unit sign. ???There are Signals vehicles with red bars - is that because a white bar on top of the white upper area would not stand out?

Army Signals unit signs appear to have a red bar underneath - authority reference?

Tactical Signs

Tactical signs denoted the role of a vehicle within its own unit. The special geometric-shaped tactical signs of the armoured regiments are most commonly known as are the red and blue tactical markings of artillery regiments, but in matter of fact all units, be they echelon, base, or even infantry battalions, utilized them to help designate special roles, functions or equipment performed/carried by certain vehicles.

In general the signs measured 8 by 6 inches, painted in black with a 5/8-inch yellow border, and having yellow characters 5-8" in thickness not to exceed 2-1/2" wide and 3-1/2" high. These signs were generally applied to the right front bumper (or fender) and located on the rear centre of the vehicle's body, though sometimes it was located instead on the right rear near the formation sign. The signs were also placed on vehicle sides, either centrally on the leading door, on the turret of armoured vehicles, or on the body of Universal Carriers. The numbers were standardized by individual corps and services, and for infantry units and formation headquarters, by First Canadian Army.

An early example of the Tactical Sign allocation within a Canadian Infantry Divisional Siganals can be found here: Tactical Vehicle markings - a Divisional Signals - August 1941.

Bridge Classification Signs

In 1940 the War Office adopted a system of classification and marking of both bridges and of vehicles in order to mitigate the risk of damage to bridges from use by vehicles producing a greater load than that for which a bridge has been designed.

The classes were designated in multiples of one ton, with the minimum being 1 although the vehicle weight classifications did not necessarily denote the actual weight in tons of the vehicle although with armoured vehicles that was often the case. The classifications were instead derived from considerations such as axle loading, distance between axles, and impact factor. Bridges were to be marked with signs indicating the class, as was the route on which vehicular traffic would take to the bridge. Vehicles pulling trailers would have two classifications, one indicating the weight class of the vehicle only, the other the weight class of both vehicle and trailer. Trailers were given double classifications as well; one number designated the increase to be made to the class of the towing vehicle, while the lower number was the weight class of the trailer on its own.

In order to help bridge sentries determine the weight of vehicles wanting to cross them, bridging discs were added to Canadian vehicles. These discs were 6 inches in diameter, painted yellow, bearing black numbers which indicated the weight class of the vehicles. The discs could either be a metal plate attached to the vehicle or else painted directly onto the vehicle. They were usually located on the right front fender, though on many vehicles the disc replaced the right front headlight.

Vehicle classifications were rated so that they could cross a bridge with the same, or greater, numerical designation. For example, a Class 12 vehicle could safely cross a Class 12 bridge or a Class 18 bridge, but not a Class 5 bridge.

War Department/Census Numbers

The Canadian Army in the UK initially came under the command of British formations and transport was originally drawn from British sources. British census numbers were adopted (known correctly as War Department (WD) Numbers). These numbers were unique identifiers, used in conjunction with a letter prefix identifying the type of vehicle. Early on, the use of a "C" prefix to identify Canadian vehicles was also adopted.

These numbers were to be 3-1/2 inches high, and were painted in white, either horizontally, or if there was no room, diagonally, on the hood of cars and trucks, or on the body of tanks and armoured vehicles. Motorcycles and some trucks had the WD number on the sides of gas tanks. WD numbers also appeared on the back of vehicles; for trucks they were located centrally, 4 inches above the tailgate, and on jeeps they were painted on the left side.

15-cwt truck with CZ WD number, unit sign for the Signal Section supporting 4th Canadian Field Regiment, and the 2nd Division formation sign

A 3 Ton Wireless (C33) with CMD number

CA - Ambulance

CC - Motorcycle

CF - Armoured Car or Scout Car

CH - Tractors (ie Artillery tractors)

CL - Lorry (30 cwt or heavier)

CM - Car (staff car, jeep, etc.)

CS - Self-Propelled Gun

CT - Universal Carrier or Tank

CX - Trailers of all types

CZ - Truck (15 cwt and smaller)

Until Census Numbers had been allocated by the RCOC, all vehicles on assembly in the UK to Canadian contract acquired "CMD" prefixes with numbers in batches allocated to each assembly point. "CMD" stood for Canadian Mechanization Depot and this number acted as a "trade plate" to move vehicles around without Census Numbers.

National Identification

CMP Lorry 3 Ton Wireless (C33) with Allied Star

Recognition markings were used to identify vehicles to friendly forces, especially aircraft. Canadian armoured vehicles in the United Kingdom used a red/white/red recognition flash which was a holdover from the First World War. The 14th Canadian Tank Regiment (The Calgary Regiment) used this style of recognition mark on its vehicles at Dieppe, and Canadian AFVs in the Mediterranean also commonly employed this style of AFV recognition marking.

In 1942, rondels were to be painted on all other vehicles, of the same type used by Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft, usually located on the hood.

By June 1944, all Allied vehicles going into Northwest Europe were to have the five pointed American star painted on them instead. These stars sometimes had a circle, either broken or unbroken, painted around them as well. Canadian units often painted the star on crooked in order to differentiate themselves from American units.

Examples and Instructions

Period orders and publications provide evidence and examples of the various vehicle markings, both what they were and how they were to be applied. Please see:

Tactical Vehicle markings - a Divisional Signals - August 1941

Vehicle Marking Instructions - First Cdn Army Signals - Oct 1942

Painting and Marking of Vehicles - 1 Division Signals Instruction - March 1944