|
|
French military markings on jeeps |
||||||||||
|
|
This article was first published in Classic Military
Vehicle n°16, september 2002, p.17-19
A - the
tri-colour symbol of nationality B - the
registration number C - the
tactical symbol of recognition D - the code
of transport by train E -
identification of the elements of a convoy A - tri-colour symbols of nationality The national tri-colour has been
used to supplement the vehicle serial number since 1922. Since the end of the
“sixties”, the tr-colour has been supplemented by a symbol to
indicate the arm of service. From left to right :
- Army (but a sword symbol has
been used since 1988) ; - Air Force : yellow wings ; - Gendarmerie : black grenade ; - Navy : black anchor or framed registration
of the tri-colour symbol on the left and a white anchor on the right. The tri-colour does not
necessarily also appear with the rear registration. B - registration number Before 1947, French jeeps and
military vehicles inherited the
From 1960, the registration
numbers changed to 7 digits then to 8 digits in 1980, but there are no
examples of Jeeps having registration numbers of 8 digits (see next page). There is no standardisation in the
exact position and form of the registration number. Indeed, markings for the
majority were carried out in the barracks and all types of lettering can be found
applied to various backgrounds including painting, stickers, meatl
numberplate, etc.). However, the serial number is applied in white figures on
a black background, and the first three digits are usually separated from the
last four by a dash ; the figures are invariably of the same height and
widht. The front registration is located
on the front bumper, generally, in the centre, between the two pairs of bolts
which attach the bumper to chassis. The figures make same dimension in
general : the three first (and the possible dash) on the left of the crank
hole, the last four on the right : the first 3 (and the dash if one is
present) are on the left of the crank hole, teh last four on the right. But
jeeps has been photographed with the registration numbers located completely
on the left of the starting crank hole. The rear registration is, in
general, applied to a plate of approximately 37cm X 9 cm placed behind the
left bumperette up against the towing hitch. The first three figures are
generally of a smaller size of the remainder and are partly concealed by
bumperette, with only the last four figures clearly visible between the bumperette and towing hitch.
D – railway transport code The railway transport code is applied to either side of the scuttlle,
low down below the wondscreen pivot. In its first incarnation, it took the
form of a white circle with a “grenade” shape to its top, and
with afigure “1” painted in its centre in black. From 1970, it
was simplified to a plain white circle with a black painted “0”
in its centre. The code “1”, then subsequently “0”,
indicates the category of vehicles not complying with the gauge of SNCF
transport wagons. It should be noted that on jeeps which are painted in the
tri-colour Central European camouflage, the railway transport code is often
applied in black to the base colour of the camoflage.
E - convoy identification The convoy identification (as
defined in NATO STANAG 2154 - Regulations for Military Motor Vehicle Movement
by Road) is applied to a black-painted panel appearing on the two sides (and
if possible at the front) of each vehicle of the convoy. On a jeep, the
number is written in white chalk on a black rectangle (9 X 38 cm) painted on
each side of the bonnet and/or on the windshield panel. The panel is divided
in 3, or sometimes 4, separate areas, each one bordered in white. Each convoy has either a movement
number (displacement within the national territory), or an identification
number (displacement within the NATO authority). The movement number consists of
six digits : - the two
first indicate the authority charged with organising the movement (military
Area, Army, Army corps, Division) ; - the next
two indicate the day of the month during which the movement starts ; - the last
two constitute the sequence of movement in the course of the day. Example : 04
- 12 – 03 means (in reverse order) movement of 3rd convoy,
on the 12th of the month, movement ordered by the Commander of
Area 4. The identification number is composed
of - two digits
indicating the day of the month during which movement starts - three or
four letters indicating the authority ordering the movement, the two first
being national symbols as outlined in STANAG 1059 (FR for - two digits
indicating the sequence number of the convoy. Example : 03
- FRD - 08 means (in reverse order) the 8th convoy, started on the
3rd of the current month, ordered by the French authority
“D”). The movement numbers and
identification numbers can be supplemented by the addition of a letter at the
end of the number to differentiate the components of a convoy.
F – bridge classification
No bridge classification appears
on a jeep because the laden weight (including trailer) is less than 3 tons
maximum. G - specific Markings There are numerous specfic
markings. For example, Military Police, vehicles of road traffic units,
vehicle name, regimental and unit markings, driving school vehicles, etc. Mémento sur les déplacements par voie
routière,
Ministère de la Défense, France, not dated Marques distinctives, BONIFACE Jean-Michel in Charge
Utile, n°38, february 1996, p.24-31 18 octobre 2003 |
