encircled star

[recon]

what does the encircled star mean that is on some mv's?

recon

1970 Kaiser M35 A2

dutchess county, ny

 

[rmgill]

Circles are distinct from crosses. When it comes to recognition symbols you want something that's VERY distinct. White stars were even possibly confused with Red Meatballs when it came to split second shoot no shoot situations. Note British/Commonwealth vehicles ALSO used white stars after the US joined up whereas they had used roundels before for air recognition.

 

[lacoda56]

Like rmgill said, they're a recognition symbol for ground vehicles by aircraft. It was used in wwII in the european theater of operations,and from what I hear, came about as a combination of the U.S. star and the British roundel to make a distinctive identification after some British and Canadian units came under attack by U.S. aircraft in North Africa. It's also referred to as the Invasion Star as it was in use on and after D Day.

 

[rmgill]

Ahh the '8th Luftwaffe'. More of a danger to it's own than to the Germans. They kind of showed that in Kelly's Hero's. Funny now, but not so much then. Blue on Blue being a very sad thing.