Stereotypically, Soviet tanks drive into battle plastered with red stars, the more the merrier. Realistically, the system of identification markings was a little bit more complicated. For instance, here's an order that's sure to excite any scale modeler with the variety of options it provides:
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Variant #1 is active on September 2nd, 3rd, 12th, and 13th.
Variant #2 is active on September 4th, 5th, 10th, and 11th.
Variant #3 is active on September 6th, 7th, 14th, and 15th.
Variant #4 is active on August 31st, September 1st, 8th and 9th.
Variant | Infantry, artillery, cavalry, and other units | Tank and mechanized units |
1 | Day: an angle made from white material, corner towards enemy. Night: yellow flare in the direction of the enemy. | Day: white circle on the turret or cabin, 26 cm in radius. Night: yellow flare. |
2 | Day: Arrow made from white material towards enemy. Night: green flare towards enemy. | Day: white square on the turret or cabin with 60 cm sides. Night: green flare towards the enemy. |
3 | Day: letter Пmade from white material, top towards the enemy. Night: red flare towards the enemy. | Day: white equilateral triangle with 60 cm sides on the turret or cabin. Night: red flare towards the enemy. |
4 | Day: letter T made from white material, top towards the enemy. Night: green flare towards the enemy. | Day: white rectangle, 40 cm by 60 cm, on the turret or cabin. Night: green flare towards the enemy. |
Variant #1 is active on September 2nd, 3rd, 12th, and 13th.
Variant #2 is active on September 4th, 5th, 10th, and 11th.
Variant #3 is active on September 6th, 7th, 14th, and 15th.
Variant #4 is active on August 31st, September 1st, 8th and 9th.