German national markings, Patee cross, latin cross

[tonyf1964]

Hi, just wanted to get a history lesson on why
Germany changed it's national markings in WWI.
For most of the war they used the Patee cross
and then in 1918 they switched over to the Latin
cross.

Does anybody know why they made this change in
Markings?

Thanks for the help and history lesson.

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

Can't give you a precise answer, but as a graphic artist myself I can give you a "practical" answer...

If I was asked to paint a marking on something that maybe would be gone the same day I would probably
be a bit sloppy and do it in a hurry. From a distance a square and cross is a square and cross. So why bother
being an artist.

An other reason could be... as it is today, a form of "less visibility or camouflage".
Today many aircraft cocardes are painted in light gray etc. Less visibility means you can get closer to your enemy
before he realizes who you in fact are.


waleed

[tonyf1964]

Hello Waleed
Thanks for the reply, this sounds very good, but I
do not believe this can be the answer because I have
seen many photos of multiple German aircraft be
manufactured in the factories and the national markings
(early war Patee cross and late war Latin cross) were
already on the planes well before the planes were finished
and had left the factories to go to the front lines.

As for camouflage, looking back did not many of
the pilots paint there planes with personal markings
which were anything but camouflage IE the "flying
circus" had many brightly colored planes which stood
out.

I do know that the change took place around the
time of the 1918 German summer offensive.

Thanks
Tony

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

I've tried to find an answer but can't find a precise "Why" besides a IdFlieg directive dated March 20 1918.
It does have something to do with standardizing the markings for better recognition. Can't find much on IdFlieg,
but that seems to be what to look for. Have a look at the posts here:
http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/2001/ ... ignia.html


waleed

[tonyf1964]

Hello Waleed
Many thanks, outstanding, this is great information.

Thank you for posting the link

Sincerely
Tony

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

Hello Tony!

Happy I could help with the little information I could provide.
I am very interested in any news you find on the subject and am sure others are too.
So please keep us informed on your research and not least future results!


waleed