Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
- Silly's MB
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Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
I have found a document entitled
" Standard Operating Procedure for Documentation and Marking of Shipments to Overseas Destinations from the UK" 13 April 1944
It helps to answer some of the questions that have been raised about the coloured triangles found on Jerrycans and other boxes and cartons . This document only relates to the ETO prior to D-Day and as some other memos point out much of the information was ignored !
" Standard Operating Procedure for Documentation and Marking of Shipments to Overseas Destinations from the UK" 13 April 1944
It helps to answer some of the questions that have been raised about the coloured triangles found on Jerrycans and other boxes and cartons . This document only relates to the ETO prior to D-Day and as some other memos point out much of the information was ignored !
Last edited by Silly's MB on Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:13 am, edited 2 times in total.
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
- Silly's MB
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Re: Marking of POL for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Cont.
The red highlighted part is not really applicable but I found it mildly amusing. See thread for circular 198 viewtopic.php?f=37&t=240344
The red highlighted part is not really applicable but I found it mildly amusing. See thread for circular 198 viewtopic.php?f=37&t=240344
Last edited by Silly's MB on Sat Aug 30, 2014 12:30 am, edited 2 times in total.
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
- Silly's MB
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Re: Marking of POL for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Some examples borrowed from another thread (viewtopic.php?f=37&t=227972) I hope the originators of the images don't mind.
Last edited by Silly's MB on Fri Aug 29, 2014 1:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
- Silly's MB
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Re: Marking of POL for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Other examples;
This example is slightly different as it also has black markings with the green. It denotes that it is for Quartermaster Sales.
This example is slightly different as it also has black markings with the green. It denotes that it is for Quartermaster Sales.
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
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Re: Marking of POL for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Cool info! Thanks for posting!! It does answer a lot of questions people had. Amazing you came upon the documentation. Thanks again
1943 White M-3 Halftrack, 1944 CCKW 353, 1945 MB, 1944 Bantam T3,
1945 Ben-Hur 1-ton trailer, MVPA 12610, NRA Life Member
1945 Ben-Hur 1-ton trailer, MVPA 12610, NRA Life Member
- Silly's MB
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Re: Marking of POL for Overseas Destinations from the UK
The green corners are present on all QM supplies, but actually according to the diagram the symbol for Class III supplies which petrol is, should actually be a Diamond not a triangle. The triangle is the symbol for Clothing and Equipment.
Subsistence is the crescent in green or black.
Regular supplies should be marked with a green circle.
Subsistence is the crescent in green or black.
Regular supplies should be marked with a green circle.
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
- gerrykan
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Thank you for taking the time to post this information.
Roy
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
No problem, I hope its useful.gerrykan wrote:Thank you for taking the time to post this information.
I think that the blue stripes in the Full life picture by Frank Schersche may possibly be denoting a previous shipment to the Air Corps. The triangle that is shown is not on the same cans that the blue stripes and the stencilling are on and the only markings that actually look new are the Octane markings. A key note on the original document is that old markings should be obliterated but this was not being done very often it seems. The new markings would go on when being packed for shipment and destination is known. It is not altogether clear that it should be 2 x 1" stripes or 1 x 2" stripe.
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
I added the following to my thread on my Normandy Gas Can Restoration:
Ok, after careful reading of the complete WWII doctrine I have come up with the DEFINATIVE explanation of the TIME photo and the Normandy gas can restoration.
THE TRIANGLE ON THE SIDE IS GREEN!
I have reviewed the entire manual and have retyped it here for all to read. The below ONLY applies to the gas cans in this thread:
Quote:
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, NO. 3 MOVEMENTS, VOLUME III, DOCUMENTATION AND MARKINGS OF SHIPMENTS TO OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, dated 13 April 1944, Headquarters European Theater of Operations United States Army.
Paragraph 6. MARKING SUPPLIES FOR OVERSEAS SHIPMENT
a. GENERAL: The following markings will be stenciled on each container (see exceptions in 6c, d, e, f and g). Complete markings will be stenciled on two surfaces, one end and one side of each container, in accordance with examples illustrated in Appendices 1 to 18 inclusive. Markings other than color markings will be at least three-quarters (3/4”) of an inch in height.
d. POL Products: Gasoline and petroleum products will have markings as set forth in par.6a placed on not less than ten percent (10%) of all cans and drums uniformly distributed throughout the shipment.
Paragraph 9. COLOR MARKINGS
a. General: Each package or article will be marked with distinguishing color markings and symbols as indicated below:
(6) QUARTERMASTER CORPS – (Class III except when shipped loose in 5-gal. cans or in drums (See Appendix 6)
QUARTERMASTER CORPS – (Clothing and Equipage) (See Appendix 7)
c. Petroleum Products will have containers stenciled and tagged in accordance with War Department Circular No.198, 1 September 1943.
Appendix 6: BULK SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, QUARTERMASTER CORPS CLASS III
Appendix 7: BLUK SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, QUARTERMASTER CORPS – CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
End quote.
What this basically means for gas cans that we have seen in this thread: A gas can that has a green corner marking (on the bottom corner) is one that has been shipped in bulk, meaning banded empty to several other gas cans for shipment - Paragraph 9 Subsection 6 Quartermaster Corps Class III item and marked in accordance with Appendix 6. A gas can that has been shipped individually (full or empty) is considered a Paragraph 9 Subsection 6 Quartermaster Corps C&E item and will be marked with a green triangle in accordance with Appendix 7.
It took a bit of reading and comparing of detail within the shipping document reference, but now I feel 100% comfortable with the complete assessment that the color is GREEN. The placement and shape of the green markings depends on how the can was shipped, either in bulk or as a single can.
Ok, after careful reading of the complete WWII doctrine I have come up with the DEFINATIVE explanation of the TIME photo and the Normandy gas can restoration.
THE TRIANGLE ON THE SIDE IS GREEN!
I have reviewed the entire manual and have retyped it here for all to read. The below ONLY applies to the gas cans in this thread:
Quote:
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, NO. 3 MOVEMENTS, VOLUME III, DOCUMENTATION AND MARKINGS OF SHIPMENTS TO OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, dated 13 April 1944, Headquarters European Theater of Operations United States Army.
Paragraph 6. MARKING SUPPLIES FOR OVERSEAS SHIPMENT
a. GENERAL: The following markings will be stenciled on each container (see exceptions in 6c, d, e, f and g). Complete markings will be stenciled on two surfaces, one end and one side of each container, in accordance with examples illustrated in Appendices 1 to 18 inclusive. Markings other than color markings will be at least three-quarters (3/4”) of an inch in height.
d. POL Products: Gasoline and petroleum products will have markings as set forth in par.6a placed on not less than ten percent (10%) of all cans and drums uniformly distributed throughout the shipment.
Paragraph 9. COLOR MARKINGS
a. General: Each package or article will be marked with distinguishing color markings and symbols as indicated below:
(6) QUARTERMASTER CORPS – (Class III except when shipped loose in 5-gal. cans or in drums (See Appendix 6)
QUARTERMASTER CORPS – (Clothing and Equipage) (See Appendix 7)
c. Petroleum Products will have containers stenciled and tagged in accordance with War Department Circular No.198, 1 September 1943.
Appendix 6: BULK SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, QUARTERMASTER CORPS CLASS III
Appendix 7: BLUK SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, QUARTERMASTER CORPS – CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
End quote.
What this basically means for gas cans that we have seen in this thread: A gas can that has a green corner marking (on the bottom corner) is one that has been shipped in bulk, meaning banded empty to several other gas cans for shipment - Paragraph 9 Subsection 6 Quartermaster Corps Class III item and marked in accordance with Appendix 6. A gas can that has been shipped individually (full or empty) is considered a Paragraph 9 Subsection 6 Quartermaster Corps C&E item and will be marked with a green triangle in accordance with Appendix 7.
It took a bit of reading and comparing of detail within the shipping document reference, but now I feel 100% comfortable with the complete assessment that the color is GREEN. The placement and shape of the green markings depends on how the can was shipped, either in bulk or as a single can.
Thanks,
Van
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Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
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- Chance
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Related question: where would I look to find the unit markings for Army units? As you identified, the blue band represents Air Corps. I also see a spade for the 9th Squadron (?). This is what I'm interested in; what documentation is there that lists out the various unit markings? Side note: I'm interested in 1st Infantry Division, 1st Reconnaissance Troop. So following this example, I would think there would be an Army marking and a unit marking...
Chance
1943 - January | Willys MB "Skimpy" | Frame No. #203301
1943 - January | Willys MB-T | Serial No. 21488
1943 - January | Willys MB "Skimpy" | Frame No. #203301
1943 - January | Willys MB-T | Serial No. 21488
- Quest Master
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
I believe you are looking for the POM or Preparation for Overseas Movement markings. They are covered in the book: "Unit Serial Numbers from the First U.S. Army Build-Up Priority Tables, List A, D+1 through D+14" D-Day (Normandy) - Top Secret - BIGOT NEPTUNE" ISBN: 978-1-4476-7681-2
Thanks,
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
44 Clark CA-1
43 Studebaker T-24
42 Harley WLA
44 Cushman 53
42 Willys MBT
44 Columbia F-92L
43 Huffman G-519
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
44 Clark CA-1
43 Studebaker T-24
42 Harley WLA
44 Cushman 53
42 Willys MBT
44 Columbia F-92L
43 Huffman G-519
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Quest Master, this might interest you:
GPW #3606 “LIBBY”
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Here is a pic of those "banded" jerry-cans. I don't see any corner markings but you may have better eyes than I do:
Chuck Lutz
GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947
GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947
- Chance
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Van - thanks for the post on that. I did find it on (rain forest).com site - wish there was a preview to be sure, but will probably pull the trigger on it anyway. Thank you.
Chance
1943 - January | Willys MB "Skimpy" | Frame No. #203301
1943 - January | Willys MB-T | Serial No. 21488
1943 - January | Willys MB "Skimpy" | Frame No. #203301
1943 - January | Willys MB-T | Serial No. 21488
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Re: Marking of Petrol for Overseas Destinations from the UK
Here are four of my cans than can be of some interest:
Two original "Normandy" cans, none has the triangle.
Water can with a big green triangle on the corner + shipping data
Green triangle + green data
Two original "Normandy" cans, none has the triangle.
Water can with a big green triangle on the corner + shipping data
Green triangle + green data
GPW #3606 “LIBBY”
"Jeep is America's only real sports car." - Enzo Ferrari
"Jeep is America's only real sports car." - Enzo Ferrari
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