flightsimer wrote:
I'm still not convinced about her Ever wearing any form of invasion stripes due to the fact that I believe the order to have them completely removed was given before she even was delivered to Europe, but I will do some checking on that. I can ask Mr. Frome also in my next letter as well.
Tyler
SUSPENSION OF OPERATION MEMORANDUM NUMBER 23, 6th December, 1944
DISTINCTIVE MARKINGS - AIRCRAFT
1. The provisions of Supreme Headquarters, AEF, Operation Memorandum No.23, Distinctive Markings - Aircraft, are suspended effective December 31st, 1944.
2. Except as noted in sub-paragraph 44. below, distinctive markings will be removed where this can be done without damage to the aircraft and with due regard to the materials and time available for this work.
3. Addressees will ensure complete dissemination of the pertinent provisions of this suspension by the quickest possible means consistent with security.
4. All Commanders will particularly ensure that personnel under their command are instructed that:
a. The fact that an aircraft of allied manufacture is seen without distinctive markings does NOT necessarily indicate that the aircraft is hostile.
b. For some time Allied aircraft may still be seen carrying distinctive markings, which, with the exception of those in sub-paragraph 4 below, should now be disregarded.
c. Faded striping under certain conditions of light closely resembles the German cross.
d. For the purposes of facilitating identification by other friendly aircraft all of the photo reconnaissance aircraft of Number 34 Wing, Second Tactical Air Force will be painted with standard invasion markings until such time as all recipients of this instruction are notified by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Second Tactical Air Force.
5. The removal of these distinctive markings in no way affects the presently prescribed national markings, which will continue to be carried on aircraft.
6.In future, should there be a requirement for distinctive markings, application will be made to this Headquarters.
By Command of General EISENHOWER.
For info, Memorandum 23 was issued on 18 April 1944 : "
to prescribe the distinctive markings which will be applied to US and BRITISH aircraft in order to make them more easily identified as friendly by ground and naval forces and by other friendly aircraft."
One thing in this memorandum is funny : In Paragraph 2.b the memorandum read:
b. These instructions will not apply to the following classes of aircraft:(l) Four engine bombers. (2) Air transports. (3) Gliders. (4) Night fighters. (5) Seaplanes.Your plane was with under surface markings between her delivery until the end of December 1944 (this is my thought)