The following report on Italian tank signals was published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 14, Dec. 17, 1942. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

ITALIAN TANK SIGNALS The following report gives some Italian tank signals used by Italian forces operating in the North African theater. (a) A triangular white (wooden) signal; Shown repeatedly, means, "Pay Attention." Shown continuously, "Go on or Stop" according to whether the signal is made at the halt or on the move. (b) A triangular white signal above a triangular red signal; Shown repeatedly, "Increase distance and space between tanks" Moved sideways intermittently, "Form line." Moved sideways continuously, "Form wedge." (c) A triangular red signal above a triangular white signal; Shown repeatedly, "Reduce distances and spaces between tanks." Moved back to front intermittently, "Form columns." Moved back to front continuously, "Form half platoons in line abreast." (d) A triangular red signal; Shown continuously, "I am in trouble," "I cannot carry out my task." All of these signals, except that last, which is made only by the tank that is in difficulty, are made by the unit commander; and individual tanks repeat the signal to show that they have been understood.

Back to Articles by Subject | Intel Bulletin by Issue | T&TT by Issue | Home Page