The Eastern Front: Armour, Camouflage and Markings, 1941-45

The Wchrmachi employed one of the inosi complicated and comprehensive systems of combat vehicle markings of all the belligerents in the Second World War. Vehicle markings often mirrored German fortunes on the Eastern From. In the heady days of 'Barbarossa', German tanks were adorned gaudily in national markings and heraldic unit insignia, in cavalier disregard of counter-intelligence requirements. But, as the war started to turn in favour of the Soviet Union after Stalingrad in January 1943, far more prudence was. shown and markings began to disappear. Mimetic camouflage painting was introduced in 1943 and, finally. in 1944 orders were issued forbidding the use of heraldic divisional insignia.