US WWII Tactical Markings

[thetourist]

I have a couple sheets of yellow stars and black stars. I assume the black were primarily used in North Africa. Where were the yellow stars used?
Thanks!

[Mk 1]

I have a couple sheets of yellow stars and black stars. I assume the black were primarily used in North Africa. Where were the yellow stars used?
Thanks!

The yellow stars were used primarily in French North Africa (the Torch landings in Morocco and Algeria, and the following campaign in Tunisia).

It was originally thought that white stars were too visible, and would make the vehicles too obvious as targets. Yellow was considered less disruptive to the camo (plane olive green), yet equally obvious as a national distinction once seen. Or something like that.

Even at the start of the campaign this thinking had changed. Progressively more and more vehicles were equipped with white stars vs. yellow. By the time of the Sicily campaign, the majority had white stars.

At least that is my understanding.

I don't know where/when black stars might have been used, other than on some modern US tactical aircrafts (fixed- or rotary-winged).

[thetourist]

Thanks for the info! So my next question is. Does anybody want to trade some white stars for some yellow and black stars.......

[Le Scronge]

The black stars were used for vehicle markings during Viet Nam. As I recall, we repainted our stars in 1968 or 69.