These are some of the variety of armored vehicles Soviet Russia has used against the Nazis. Feature of Russian medium and heavy tanks are the use of multiple turrets. In addition the turrets are placed well forward and railing attached so the vehicles . . . → Read More: Russian Armored Vehicles]]> “Russian Armored Vehicles” recognition poster from Newsmap, August 1942:

These are some of the variety of armored vehicles Soviet Russia has used against the Nazis. Feature of Russian medium and heavy tanks are the use of multiple turrets. In addition the turrets are placed well forward and railing attached so the vehicles may serve as infantry carriers.

The German press has reported Russian tanks weighing up to 100 tons but the use of these must be decidedly limited by the difficulty to maneuver these across country and over bridges. The following specifications are from various published sources and are approximations.

1 — B.T. CRUISER TANK: Length 18′ 7″; Width 6′ 10″; Height 7′ 8″; Weight 10¼-11¾ tons; Speed 30 m.p.h. on tracks, 44 on wheels. Armament 37, 45 or 76.2 mm. gun and one or two M.G.’s according to Model. Crew of three men. This is the original American Christie Cruiser and exists in large numbers. Can travel on wheels as well as tracks.

2 — T. 34: Length 19′ 6″; Width 7′ 6″; Height 7′ 8″; Weight 25.9 tons; Speed 34 m.p.h. Armament one 76.2 mm. gun and two M.G.’s. Crew three to four men. This model has been reported widely used. The photos show its clean modern lines and its use as an infantry carrier.

3 — T. 26: Length 16′ 4″; Width 7′; Height 7′ 2″; Weight 8½-9½ tons. Speed 22 m.p.h. Armament one 37 mm. gun and two M.G.’s; one 45 mm. gun and one M.G. or 45 mm. gun and two M.G.’s. Crew of three. This is not a modern tank.

4 — HEAVY T. 35: Length 31′ 1″. Width 10′ 5″; Height 9′ 10″; Weight 44½ tons; Speed 19 m.p.h. Armament one 76.2 mm. gun and one or two M.G.’s in main turret, two 45 mm. guns in auxiliary turrets, two M.G.’s in auxiliary M.G. turrets. Crew of nine or ten nten. Several models of this tank are reported in use, some of which mount only two subsidiary turrets. This one shows one large turret and four auxiliary turrets. Note skirting over suspension.

5 — MEDIUM T. 28: Length 24′ 4″; Width 9′ 2″; Height 9′ 4″; Weight 28½ tons; Speed 22 m.p.h. Armament one 76.2 mm. gun, 4 M.G.’s. Crew six men. Skirting partially protents the small bogie wheels.

6 — T. 37 LIGHT AMPHIBIAN: Length 13′ 1″; Width 6′ 6″; Height 6′; Weight 3 tons; Speed 32 m.p.h. on the road, 6 in the water. Armament one or two M.G.’s. Crew of two men. Has only light armor.

7 — BONIFORD CAR: Length 12′ 6″; Width 5′ 6″; Height 6′ 5″; Weight 3¼ tons; Speed 45 m.p.h. Armament two M.G.’s. Crew of three men. This 4-wheeled armored car has thin protection and is considered obsolete.

6 — FORD ARMORED CAR: Length 16′ 8″; Width 6′ 4″; Height 8′ 2″; Weight 7 tons; Speed 42 m.p.h. Armament one 37 mm. gam. two M.G.’s. Crew four men. This 6-wheeled car is used for reconnaissance. Tracks can be fitted to rear wheels for rough country.
 

SUBJECT: Aircraft Recognition — Me 262 and Me 163SOURCE: AA Section, Headquarters, Twelfth Army Group

Of the jet-propelled planes now being operated by the German Air Force, two types are appearing over the Army Group area in increasing . . . → Read More: Me 262 and Me 163 Aircraft Recognition]]> Recognition features for the German Me 262 and Me 163 aircraft from “Antiaircraft Artillery Notes,” HQ ETO, No. 8, December 1944:

SUBJECT: Aircraft Recognition — Me 262 and Me 163
SOURCE: AA Section, Headquarters, Twelfth Army Group

Of the jet-propelled planes now being operated by the German Air Force, two types are appearing over the Army Group area in increasing frequency — the Me 262 and Me 163, both fighters. Provisional drawings and descriptions of both those types appeared in Twelfth Army Group AAA Notes Nos. 2 & 3. German documents captured recently by Ninth US Army included silhouettes of the Me 262 and Me 163 prepared September 1944 by the High Command of the Luftwaffe; these are reproduced in Appendix I and II of this issue. It should be noted that dimensions differ very little from those given in previous publication, but certain recognition features are considerably different.

Me-262

Me-163

The aircraft are the P-61 Black Widow night fighter and the A-26 Invader attack bomber. . . . → Read More: A New Shape in the Neighborhood]]> “A new shape in our neighborhood… and a new face” from “Antiaircraft Artillery Notes,” HQ ETO, No. 14, January 1945:

The aircraft are the P-61 Black Widow night fighter and the A-26 Invader attack bomber.
 

TERMINOLOGY

ABAFT _ _ _ behind; toward stern from. ABEAM _ _ _ at right angles to the keel. AMIDSHIPS _ _ _ the middle portion of a vessel. ARMOR _ _ _ steel plating . . . → Read More: Naval Terminology]]> Summary of naval terminology from FM 30-50: Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels, U.S. Navy Department, September 1943:

TERMINOLOGY

ABAFT _ _ _ behind; toward stern from.
ABEAM _ _ _ at right angles to the keel.
AMIDSHIPS _ _ _ the middle portion of a vessel.
ARMOR _ _ _ steel plating designed to defeat shells, bombs, or underwater explosion.
ARMOR BELT _ _ _ band of armor extending along a ship’s sides above and below water-line.
ATHWART _ _ _ across; from side to side; traversly.
BEAM _ _ _ extreme width of ship.
BILGE _ _ _ curved part of ship’s hall where sides and flat bottom meet.
BLISTER _ _ _ a bulge built into a ship’s side as a protection against torpedoes.
BOOM _ _ _ a free-swinging spar used to secure boats or to handle cargo, boats or aircraft.
BREAK _ _ _ the point at which upper decks are discontinued.
BRIDGE _ _ _ raised forward platform from which ship is conned and navigated.
BULKHEAD _ _ _ transverse or longitudinal partitions subdividing the interior of a ship.
BULWARKS _ _ _ light plating or wooden extension of ship’s sides above upper deck.
CASEMATE _ _ _ armored gun mount built into the sides or superstructure of a ship.
CLASS _ _ _ vessels of the same type built to a common basic design.
COMBINED OPERATIONS _ _ _ joint operations conducted by nonhomogeneous forces or forces of different services and/or nationalities.
COMPANIONWAY _ _ _ hatchway providing access from one deck to another.
COMPARTMENTATION _ _ _ subdivision of a ship’s hull by means of transverse and/or longitudinal bulkheads.
CONNING TOWER _ _ _ armored ship control station. In submarines, the main deck structure.
COUNTER _ _ _ side of a vessel’s quarter.
COWL _ _ _ a smoke baffle located on top of a funnel; opening of a ventilator.
DAMAGE CONTROL _ _ _ comprehensive term for all means of mitigating or offsetting effects of damage aboard ship.
DEPTH CHARGE _ _ _ explosive device projected or dropped from air or surface craft; detonated at predetermined depths by a hydrostatic mechanism.
DISPLACEMENT _ _ _ the weight of water displaced by a ship.
FANTAIL _ _ _ after section of the main deck.
FORE _ _ _ that part of a ship lying between bow and midship section.
FORE AND AFT _ _ _ lengthwise of a ship.
FORECASTLE _ _ _ deck; a forward upper deck extending to bow.
FREEBOARD _ _ _ height of a ship’s sides from waterline to a weather deck.
FLYING BRIDGE _ _ _ a light self-supporting structure extruding from side of ship’s bridge.
GUN HOUSE _ _ _ a lightly protected, rotating mount for guns of lesser calibre.
GUN SHIELD _ _ _ any protection for gun crews which does not completely enclose mouut.
GUNWALE _ _ _ upper edge of a vessel’s or boat’s side.
HALYARDS _ _ _ light lines used in hoisting signals, flags, etc.
HATCH _ _ _ opening in a deck.
HAWSE PIPES _ _ _ tubes leading anchor chains from deck down and forward through bow plating.
HELM _ _ _ the mechanism for operating the ship’s rudder.
HULL _ _ _ main body of a vessel exclusive of elements of superstructure.
ISLAND _ _ _ a free-standing section of a ship’s superstructure. On aircraft carriers, the ship’s superstructure.
KEEL _ _ _ center line strength member running fore and aft along the bottom of a ship.
KNOT _ _ _ a unit of speed, equalling one nautical mile (6,080.20 feet) per hour.
LIST _ _ _ traverse inclination of a vessel.
MAIN BATTERY _ _ _ the heaviest calibre gun armament carried by a naval vessel.
MAIN DECK _ _ _ a ship’s highest continuous deck.
MINE _ _ _ a device containing high explosive charge, free-floating or anchored at fixed depth, or resting on bottom; detonated by contact, or by electrical or magnetic impulse.
MULTIPLE MAST _ _ _ an exposed mast having one or more supporting elements.
PEAK (fore and aft) _ _ _ compartment at the extreme bow or stern of vessel below decks—usually a tank.
PORT _ _ _ left hand side of a vessel when looking towards bow; an opening.
QUARTER _ _ _ that portion of a vessel’s side near the stern.
QUARTER DECK _ _ _ part of upper deck reserved for officers; also the deck near the stern.
RADIO DIRECTION FINDER _ _ _ device for determining direction of source of radio impulses.
RAKE _ _ _ fore and aft inclination from vertical.
RANGEFINDER _ _ _ optical instrument for determining distance to a target or other object.
RECIPROCATING ENGINE _ _ _ a steam actuated piston engine as distinguished from a turbine.
RIGGING _ _ _ collective term for ropes and chains employed to support masts, yards, and booms of vessel.
SECONDARY BATTERY _ _ _ the gun armament next in calibre to main battery.
SHEER _ _ _ longitudinal upward or downward curvature of deck or gunwale.
SHEER LINE _ _ _ line formed by intersection of deck and sides of a ship.
SPLINTER SCREEN _ _ _ light armor shields for protection of crew.
STACK _ _ _ exposed uptake from ship’s boilers; funnel.
STARBOARD _ _ _ the right hand side of a vessel when looking towards bow.
STEM _ _ _ extreme forward line of bow.
STERN POST _ _ _ the main vertical post in the stern frame upon which the rudder is hung.
SUPERSTRUCTURE _ _ _ any structure built above a ship’s hull.
TASK FORCE _ _ _ a naval force organized to carry out a specific mission.
TURRET _ _ _ a rotating mount enclosed by armor for guns of large calibre.
TWIN TURRET _ _ _ a turret housing two guns.
TYPE _ _ _ all vessels built or converted for the same purpose.
WEATHER DECK _ _ _ any deck exposed to weather.
WELL _ _ _ a lateral opening in a ship’s hull or superstructure.

Failure to recognize . . . → Read More: Failure to Recognize]]> The August 1943 issue of NEWSMAP stressed the importance of accurate tank recognition. Learn to recognize one vehicle from another as instantly as you know “Bill” from “Ed” or a Chevrolet from a Ford. Practice on every vehicle you see and on every picture of one in magazines, newspapers, or newsreels.

Failure to recognize destroyed our own tank… and also cost us a vehicle and crew!

Know That Vehicle:

Source: NEWSMAP, August 2, 1943, Army Information Branch.

TYPE DESIGNATIONS: U.S. NAVAL VESSELS

PRINCIPAL COMBATANT TYPESBB BattleshipCB Large CruiserCV Aircraft CarrierCVLAircraft Carrier (Light)CVEAircraft Carrier (Escort)CAHeavy Cruiser CL Light CruiserDD DestroyerDE Destroyer Escort VesselSS SubmarineSM Minelaying Submarine

MINOR COMBATANT TYPESCM MinelayerDM Light MinelayerDMS High-Speed MinesweeperAM MinesweeperAN Net-Laying ShipPF . . . → Read More: U.S. Naval Vessels Type Designations]]> U.S. Navy WWII vessel type abbreviations from FM 30-50: Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels, U.S. Navy Department, September 1943:

TYPE DESIGNATIONS: U.S. NAVAL VESSELS

PRINCIPAL COMBATANT TYPES

BB	Battleship
CB	Large Cruiser
CV	Aircraft Carrier
CVL	Aircraft Carrier (Light)
CVE	Aircraft Carrier (Escort)
CA	Heavy Cruiser
CL	Light Cruiser
DD	Destroyer
DE	Destroyer Escort Vessel
SS	Submarine
SM	Minelaying Submarine

MINOR COMBATANT TYPES

CM	Minelayer
DM	Light Minelayer
DMS	High-Speed Minesweeper
AM	Minesweeper
AN	Net-Laying Ship
PF	Frigate
PE	Eagle Boat
PG	Gunboat
PC	Submarine Chaser
PCE	Patrol Craft Escort
PCS	Submarine Chaser (136′)
SC	Submarine Chaser (110′)
PT	PTC Motor Torpedo Boat
PY	Yacht

NAVAL AUXILIARIES

Tenders

AD	Destroyer Tender
AH	Hospital Ship
AS	Submarine Tender
ASR	Submarine Rescue Vessel
AR	Repair Shop
ARB	Battle Damage Repair Ship
ARG	Internal Combustion Engine Repair Ship
ARH	Hull Repair Ship
ARL	Landing Craft Repair Ship
ARS	Salvage Vessel
AV	Seaplane Tender
AVD	Destroyer Seaplane Tender
AVP	Small Seaplane Tender
AGP	Motor Torpedo Boat Tender

CARGO AND FUEL SHIPS

AE	Ammunition Ship
AF	Provision Storeship
AK	Cargo Ship
AKA	Attack Cargo Ship
AKS	Stores Issue Ship
AO	Oiler
AOG	Gasoline Tanker

TRANSPORTS

AP	Troop Transport
APA	Attack Transport
APD	High-Speed Transport
APN	Wounded Evacuation Transport
APM	Mechanized Artillery Transport
APR	Rescue Transport
APV	Aircraft Transport
AGC	Operations And Command Headquarters Ship

LANDING CRAFT

LCC	Control Landing Craft
LCI	Infantry Landing Craft
LCT	Tank Landing Craft
LSO	Dock Landing Ship
LST	Tank Landing Ship
LCM	Mechanized Equipment Landing Craft
LCV	Vehicle Landing Craft
LCS	Support Landing Craft
LCP	Personnel Landing Craft
LVT	Tracked Landing Craft
LCR	Rubber Landing Craft

NAVAL AUXILIARIES

Base Craft

AB	Crane Ship
ABD	Advance Base Dock
ABSO	Advance Base Sectional Dock
AFD	Mobile Floating Dock
APL	Barracks Ship
APC	Coastal Transport
ARDC	Concrete Repair Dock
ARD	Floating Drydock
AT	Ocean-Going Tug
ATR	Rescue Tug
AVR	Aircraft Resscue Vessel
AMB	Harbor Minesweeper

Miscellaneous

AG	Miscellaneous Auxiliaries
AGS	Surveying Ship
IX	Unclassified

DISTRICT CRAFT

YAG	Miscellaneous District Auxiliaries
YMS	Motor Minesweeper
YMT	Motor Tug
YN	Net Tender
YNG	Gate Tender
YP	District Patrol Vessel
YT	Harbor Tug
CMC	Coastal Minesweeper

Barges

YCD	Fueling Barge
YO	Fuel-Oil Barge
YOS	Oil Storage Barge
YPK	Pontoon Storage Barge
YS	Stevedoring Barge
YSR	Sludge Removal Barge
YTT	Torpedo Testing Barge
YW	Water Barge

LIGHTERS

YA	Ash Lighter
YC	Open Lighter
YCK	Open Cargo Lighter
YCV	Aircraft Transport Lighter
YF	Covered Lighter
YFT	Torpedo Transport Lighter
YG	Garbage Lighter
YLA	Open Landing Lighter

MISCELLANEOUS

YCF	Car Floats
YD	Floating Derrick
YDG	Degaussing Vessel
YDT	Diving Tender
YE	Ammunition Tender
YFB	Ferry Boat
YFD	Floating Drydock
YHB	Houseboat
YHT	Heating Scow
YM	Dredge
YPD	Floating Pile Driver
YR	Floating Workshop
YRDH	Dry Dock Workshop–Hull
YSD	Seaplane Wreck Derrick
YSP	Salvage Pontoon

King George V Class (4 units)

BB13 – King George VBB15 – Duke of YorkBB16 – AnsonBB17 – HoweBB14 – Prince of Wales (Lost 1941)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: Two widely spaced tall, flat-sided stacks; athwartships catapult set in well deck . . . → Read More: King George V Class Battleships]]> From FM 30-50: Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels, U.S. Navy Department, September 1943:

King George V Class (4 units)

• BB13 – King George V
• BB15 – Duke of York
• BB16 – Anson
• BB17 – Howe
• BB14 – Prince of Wales (Lost 1941)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

• Two widely spaced tall, flat-sided stacks; athwartships catapult set in well deck between stacks.
• Massive tower bridge with tripod foremast stepped close abaft bridge; light tripod mainmast.
• Main battery mounted in one quadruple and one high twin turret forward, and one quadruple turret aft.
• Relatively low flush-deck hull; wide quarterdeck.
• Secondary battery is disposed in two pairs of super-firing twin mounts; each pair is abreast of a stack.

STRONG SIMILARITY TO: RENOWN (Brit. — CC), LONDON (Brit. — CA), FIJI Class (Brit. — CL), ARETHUSA Class (Brit. — CL), LITTORIO Class (Ital. — BB) from the air.

RESEMBLANCE TO: ALMIRANTE LATORRE (Chile — BB), LA ARGENTINA (Argentina — CL), CAVOUR Class (Ital. — BB) from the air.

King George V Class (4 units): Duke of York, July 1942; King George V, 1941; Duke of York, 1942.

Answers after the page break.

Answers to Aircraft Recognition Test: GI Nightmare