Invasion Stripes

[keith A]

How long were these kept ? I notice in late 1944 they were reduced to the underside of aircraft was this a random decision by individual squadrons?

Keith

[keith A]

Apologies. I see Chris Thoomas posted they were ordered removed in January 1945

Keith

[Peter Randall]

Not quite correct. Here's what Roger Freeman had to say on the subject:
General Instruction dated 4th July required removal of stripes from top surfaces, but this took a little time due to operational requirements.
Underwing stripes - general instruction required removal between 25th August and 10th September.
Lower fuselage stripes removal required by general instruction in early December stating they were to be removed by the end of the year.
Peter

[Graham Boak]

They were also restored to the rear fuselages of bomber and transport aircraft from (IIRC) October 1944.

[Franek Grabowski]

There were different kinds of stripes. D-Day or Overlord stripes, overall, and then reduced to lower surfaces until removed until early September. Then there were Market-Garden stripes on fuselage belly, and wrap around ones on Mossies and Beaufighters, both of which continued until the end of 1944. Additionally, there were French stripes apllied on the mixed bag of aircraft used during the siege of German held harbours.

[Buckeye30]

Peter these are the amendments to Memo 23 ordering removal; 23 was the original application of stripes dated 18 April.
1. SHAEF Amendment no.2 - (6 July)---removal of upper wing stripes.
2. SHAEF Amendment no. 3 -(19 Aug.)---removal from below wings with time limit.
3. Change no.4---confirmed under fuselage only---13 Oct.
4. SHAEF "suspension of Op. Memo 23" 6 Dec.= remaining stripes deleted from 31 Dec. except for 34(PR) Wing 2nd TAF.

In fact many fighters kept them under the bellies esp. Ninth P-47s and some Eighth P-51s.
This is the no. 3 Amendment for wings.....


Nick

[keith A]

Many thanks chaps. Once again this forum shows what talents are represented.

best regards

Keith

[Buckeye30]

For comparison these are the French recognition bands ( 8"--10" compared to the 18"--24" of "D-Day") for DRAGOON in August on a variety of aircraft as Franek mentioned. I think the widths just depended on the aircraft size.

Twelfth AF fighters in the same area had red cowl fronts ( as did Navy F6Fs supporting them).
These narrow stripes are similar to the ones on some RAF fighters on the south coast of England in June-July ( the Culmhead Wing, 126 (5J), 616 (YQ), 131 (NX) Sqns. plus 64 (SH) and 124 (ON) with Spitfire Vs, VIIs and IXs). These are interesting as many were in the High Altitude scheme, Medium Sea Grey over PRU Blue.
Nick