FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942
 

Just curious. Most, if not all Fleet Air Arm aircraft engaged in Operation Torch had US national markings applied. This to prevent confusion between British and French roundels and also and perhaps more important because it was thought the (Vichy) French were less keen to oppose the US than the British.

Reasons aside, are there more such Allied operations known where this approach was used with other national markings on aircraft?
Here I exclude the foreign squadrons operating under the RAF umbrella, and secret ops.

I gathered that under war law it's not accepted to fly the color of a neutral state or party not engaged in the conflict as a ruse, so Torch fell within limits? But that's more a question for any lawyers among us...

Thanks for any info.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942
 

Hello Leendert,
You must know that captured and some interned a/c wore those countries markings.
A close one possibly the RNZAF did apply the "Bar's" to their a/c to aid recognition, as did the Royal Navy in the Far East.
Alex

Re: FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942
 

Another similar instance would be the case of USS Robin/HMS Victorious

http://www.armouredcarriers.com/uss-...ms-victorious/

from the article:

https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...8/?format=750w

Mixed markings ... Avengers and Martlets in a variety of camouflage schemes, though all carrying the USN star, on the deck of 'USS ROBIN' (HMS VICTORIOUS).

So FAA aircraft in US markings.

Re: FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942
 

The USA wasn't neutral at the time of Operation Torch

Re: FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942
 

Neutral to whom? The US wasn't at war with France.

Re: FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942
 

Nobody was at war with France, however this country was considered as hostile to Allies - with good reasons.

Re: FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942
 

Given the series of "little wars" fought between Britain and Vichy France, it is rather pedantic to suggest other than that a state of war existed between them.

Re: FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942
 

Gentlemen,

A plea from neutral Belgium; please no Anglo-French word war....

Remember that my original question was if such Torch approach was used in other (air) operations elsewhere around the globe too.

Evidently the use of 'false' colors was done for serious reasons, and as history has had its course, not much we can do about it.

For those we wish to ponder the matter further in the study room, some excerpts from the The Hague Rules of Air Warfare 1923. But if these were applicable at that time (1942), place and for parties involved, I really don't know. War breaks all too many rules...

ARTICLE III
A military aircraft shall bear an external mark indicating its nation; and military character.

ARTICLE X
No aircraft may possess more than one nationality.

ARTICLE XIX
The use of false external marks is forbidden.


Regards,

Leendert