16-241 garand Picture of the Day - Eniwetok

[Mark in Rochester]

Marine Machine Gunners in Action on Eniwetok

Lightning fried the modem took them 9 day to get here 10 minutes to fix

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Bill Hollinger]

Welcome back Mark

[CINDERS]

Same here Mark have missed your pics......

[Bob Womack]

Welcome back and thank you for all you do!!!

Bob

[boltaction]

Question:
What is the significance of the black and white chequered panel on the back of the Marine on the left? Some sort of signalling flag?

Ed

[Paul S.]

I believe it is the same sort of formation position marker the Squadies had pinned on their backs as they went over the top on 1 July 1916 on the Somme.

[browningautorifle]

Makes them easier to see at distance from the rear. Avoids friendly fire incidents.

[Bill Hollinger]

Notice they are mirror patterned also. Left and right???

[Sentryduty]

Notice they are mirror patterned also. Left and right???

Possible, but more likely they just pinned one on 90 degrees out. Even in modern day we still use IFF markers (Identify Friend-Foe) however most are day use florescent colored panels, mine was "Hot Pink" and we carried them above the suspension of our helmets when not in use. In addition we had IR reflective patches, stickers and strobe lights. Vehicles would have an IR reflective inverted chevron, and we would place chemical illumination sticks on the antennas.

At night the fact every soldier had a weapon mounted IR Lazer (PAQ-4 or PAQ-2) and NVG really helped and it was somewhat easy for target ID and location, aviation assets would just follow the tracers and the light of 40+ Lazers cutting through the dust like a big flashing arrow.

[browningautorifle]

Possible, but more likely they just pinned one on 90 degrees out.

I agree. The troops help put them on and it's not as important how as long as they're visible.