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The White Stripe

Discussion in 'Eastern Europe' started by Herr Oberst, Feb 11, 2010.

  1. Herr Oberst

    Herr Oberst Member

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    Why do the Russians paint a big White stripe down the center of their vehicles in WWII and I think some in Czechloslovakia in 1968 also.
     
  2. colletorww2

    colletorww2 Ace

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    Could you provide us with a picture? I tried searching for Russian vehicles, but no white stripes.
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

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    You mean the turret stripe? It was initially a recognition factor for the advance on Berlin. Dealing with the fear of Western allied pilots attacking unfamiliar tanks, and providing quick recognition for other Soviet crews.

    I don't know; but if it was used in the Czech business, presumably with some Soviet vehicles being used in the uprising similar reasons lay behind it.

    [​IMG]

    ~A
     
  4. colletorww2

    colletorww2 Ace

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    Oh ya, those stripes, i thought you meant the side of the tank, not the turret.
     
  5. Herr Oberst

    Herr Oberst Member

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    Thanks. I thought it might be aircraft recognition but wasn't sure
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Hard to find the World War two ones. I have a book with late war ones but wasn't sure about 1968.
     
  6. T. A. Gardner

    T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

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    Its actually a white cross on top of the turret and often a white stripe around the turret in WW 2. This was done because by late 1944 the Soviets found their armored columns being attacked by Western Allied aircraft. The agreed recognition marker was these white stripes.... Not that it always helped.....
     
  7. Herr Oberst

    Herr Oberst Member

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    Thanks, I also saw them in a movie I watched recently which was supposed to be about the czech 68 revolution but ended up less history and more racey actresses:D. The trucks and tanks had a white stripe down the middle so I was curious if the film vehicle procurement guy had it historically correct.
     
  8. Hufflepuff

    Hufflepuff Semi-Frightening Mountain Goat

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    Aha, so it's the soviet armor's version of Victory stripes! :D
     
  9. Owen

    Owen O

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  10. Owen

    Owen O

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