Types of identification scarf (marker panel)
I am looking for photos of these scarves in your collections. The one in these pictures is my own. It has a brown hem and bright yellow silk panel. There are no markings, other than a handwritten ‘4b’. As I did with the gas detection brassards, I thought it would be interesting to get photos from as many collectors as possible in order to learn about different variations. I know of 2 basic versions: both have a yellow silk panel. One has a brown hessian hem, the other has a white hem.
The scarf in full view 
Remnants of black marking? 
Handwritten marking ‘4b’
It was issued to paratroopers at a limited scale and intended for aerial forces to recognize friendly ground forces. With paratroopers often far ahead of regular allied forces, or even behind enemy lines, this was a very useful, even life-saving piece of equipment. In period photographs they are most seen worn around the neck as scarves.
The scarves were British made, but markings aren’t always present or legible. So I would like to make an inventory. Bill Rentz’ Gernonimo! U.S. Airborne Uniforms, Insignia & Equipment in World War II shows an identical panel which is marked ‘COURTAULDS LTD. 1942’ in a square with a broad arrow, and another one, also with a brown hem, marked ‘COURTAULDS LIMITED 1943, also with a broad arrow but no square.
Even though these are early dates, I have only found photos of the scarves being worn by US paratroopers for Operation Market Garden in Holland and Operation Varsity in Germany. It would be interesting to be able to determine more accurately which units wore these scarves and when and where, and whether they were issued the scarves with the brown or the white hem.
Replicas of these scarves do exist and can also be interesting to add to the overview. A replica I oncee had was well made, but the fabric wasn’t silk. The material of the panel was too coarse and a kind of modern-day signal yellow.
I am looking forward to receiving your photos, including any markings that may still be legible.
Hello. I have one of these panels. It was given to me by an uncle who explained that the narrower end was tied around the neck and the two corners held out to make a triangle to indicate direction. This was necessary when paratroops had fallen in the wrong place and needed to signal direction to others.
Hello Mark, thank you for sharing this information. I had no idea about this. Just how would this have worked? Would this signal be seen by other paratroops from the air? Or on the ground?
Hi I don’t actually have one of these but in 1958/9 when I was seven years old my grandfather bought me one (possibly more than one) of these to make dolls clothes with and told me they were part of a parachute. They were bright yellow, triangular and had a white tape edging, he would have bought them I think from a local street market probably in Cannock, Staffordshire or a market at Brocton, Staffordshire (near to Cannock) which I remember going to with him. Both of these places are close to the military camps which were on Cannock Chase.
Thank you for sharing your story Sheila! Very interesting. There must have been many, but most seem to have disappeared, as they have become very scarce.
Hello, while trying how to copy this scarf, I tumbled in to your site. My hometown was liberated by US Troops. The recconnaissance units tied them on the jeephood. I do have a picture of it, for verfiying this.
Hello Peter, that’s really interesting. If you could send me that picture, that would be great. I’ll add your name. Thanks, Wouter
You can find a picture of that over here;
https://www.paratrooper.fr/en/british-commonwealth/55537-scarf-recognition-airbornecommandoinfantry-yellow-celanese-triangle-3000000511541.html
I’ve got a recognition scarf worn by a British Airborne veteran in the Oosterbeek perimeter. This was received in the 80’s from his widow wife along with his parachute cap badge and sergeant stripes with qualification wing stitched to it that he worn on the right arm of his Denison.
Strangely enough most of these (as well as mine) scarfs are dated pretty early. Mine is dated 1941 and of British manufacture and has a white trim. It is feather light and it still seems to have been made from real, high quality and extremely soft silk. Totally different from for example the rayon that was used for the dropping container parachute that was dropped on the 17th of september 1944 on droppingzone L near Wolfheze and of which I have some pieces and cords.
Thanks for sharing that Sander. Very interesting note about the different types of fabric!
J. Dunkerley of Oxford Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK made the yellow silk ones by the million. The firm also designed and made the undersuits worn by the frogmen who cleared obstacles and mines before DDay and they worked with the Dunlop rubber company on the Franks flying suit which stopped fighter pilots blacking out.
My grandparents worked in the Macclesfield silk mills.
Hello Nick, that’s so interesting. All those companies that contributed their expertise to the war effort. Thanks for sharing this! Wouter
Hi Nick, I just watched a video on You Tube which you probably have seeen but if not you may find interesting. It is of American paratroopers who are preparing to board gliders circa 1944/45 and you can some of them clearly wearing yellow scarves. The video is titled “US paratroopers and artilley crews in rare colour film (1944/45) 8.12. Hope you find this useful. Best wishes,David.
I was in Viet Nam in 1968 and 1969. I took a tri-colored cloth panel off a dead NVA soldier in extreme northern I Corps. This cotton cloth panel is approximately 18″ square and consists of 3 pieces sewn together diagonally. The colors are red, blue and a cream yellow. The resulting triangles can be folded to present yellow-blue, yellow-red and red-blue combinations. At the time, The NVA had no air support and it was only near the very end of the war that they would have had any. Do you have any idea what use this had and what it’s source might have been?
Hi Dan, that’s interesting. It’s the first I hear about this. Would you have any photos of such a panel? Happy holidays! Wouter