FAA aircraft with US markings - Torch Nov 1942

[Leendert]

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

[Alex Smart]

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

[Orwell1984]

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

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

from the article:

When HMS Victorious slipped out of Norfolk Navy Yard in February, 1943, she was carrying a total of 52 aircraft: 36 Martlet IVs in 882, 896 and 898 Squadrons, as well as 16 freshly delivered TBF Avengers of 832 Squadron.
The FAA had been handed 21 Avengers direct from United States stocks. All still wore USN markings.
In fact, all aircraft aboard HMS Victorious were soon to carry the US white star.

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.

[Larry]

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

[Graham Boak]

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

[CJE]

Originally Posted by Graham Boak

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

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

[Graham Boak]

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.

[Leendert]

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