Quote:
Originally Posted by David Dunlop
Could it have been a communications thing in the field, Bruce? Early on perhaps it was felt an identifying name on a vehicle and in a wireless communication would be helpful for a commander in a combat situation? Might have been a good idea in the first bit of the war, but if the enemy was monitoring communications, they could anticipate intentions and counteract more effectively by recognizing what vehicles were being instructed to do something. If we figured that out, then we may have abandoned the easily identifiable names on vehicles and stuck with just wireless code names to make if more difficult for the enemy to figure out what was going on?
David
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Dave, it was absolutely a communication thing. Easy to remember names that you were familiar with and instantly knew which squadron a vehicle was in was its purpose.
Why it was abandoned for armoured car regiments (if my theory is right) must have to do with something other than security or practicality. Tanks continued to use names until the end of the war and continued to do so for many years after.