_GOTOBOTTOM
Figures
Military figures of all shapes and sizes.
U.S. tank crew insignia
Vierville
Visit this Community
Gauteng, South Africa
Joined: April 05, 2014
KitMaker: 384 posts
Armorama: 372 posts
Posted: Monday, March 19, 2018 - 12:33 AM UTC
Hi guys. I was just wondering, does anyone know what insignia units like the 741st and 743rd tank battalions wore on their jackets during the Normandy period?

I know units like the 2nd Armored Division had the triangular red, yellow and blue patch with a '2' on them, but am not sure what insignia other tank units wore?

Thanks!
shermadude
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: December 03, 2007
KitMaker: 161 posts
Armorama: 53 posts
Posted: Monday, March 19, 2018 - 03:26 AM UTC
Same insignia as armored divisions,but with the tank battalion number at the top.
Regards,Bob
Vierville
Visit this Community
Gauteng, South Africa
Joined: April 05, 2014
KitMaker: 384 posts
Armorama: 372 posts
Posted: Monday, March 19, 2018 - 03:52 AM UTC
Thanks Robert. Somebody I spoke to suggested that the above units (741st and 743rd tank battalions) wore the '2' patch of the U.S. Second Army on their tanker jackets?

Would that sound accurate?

Thanks guys!
shermadude
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: December 03, 2007
KitMaker: 161 posts
Armorama: 53 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 - 05:09 AM UTC
Hi,
Don't know why they would,the 2nd U.S. Army was a training formation stationed in the states. The 741st spent a lot of time attached to the 2nd Infantry Division,but being tankers they wouldn't wear 2nd I.D. patches unless they were ordered to! The 743rd spent time attached to the 29th I.D.,1st I.D., and 3rd Armored. They finally ended up with the 30th I.D. where they served until the end of the war. Again no reason to wear a 2nd Army patch or any infantry div. patches either.
Hope this helps.
Regards,Bob
Vierville
Visit this Community
Gauteng, South Africa
Joined: April 05, 2014
KitMaker: 384 posts
Armorama: 372 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 02:17 AM UTC
Thanks Bob for your info. I can't see why they'd be wearing a 2nd Army patch either after the explanation you gave.

I've only ever seen the triangle armored division patch so I'll stick to that. There are a few nice decals around for those too.
27-1025
Visit this Community
North Carolina, United States
Joined: September 16, 2004
KitMaker: 1,281 posts
Armorama: 1,222 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 07:53 AM UTC
If you’re interested, I’d highly recommend the book Move Out Verify - The Combat Story Of The 743rd Tank Battalion. The book was written and published in Frankfurt in July 1945. BTW the cover shows their patch which is the Armor Triangle with 743 in the yellow field.
11Bravo_C2
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: May 12, 2015
KitMaker: 475 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 10:00 AM UTC
Just for the shoulder patch. I cannot verify what is written in this site.

http://www.sproe.com/s/743rd-tank-battalion.html
 _GOTOTOP