US ARMY GROUPS

DISTINGUISHING FLAGS  •  1944 REGULATIONS

In 1943, the Army embarked on a large-scale reorganization that involved the abolition of regimental identities in all branches except Infantry. Instead, independent battalions and separate companies would be allocated to divisions or, in the case of non-divisional units, placed under the command of a group headquarters. In principle groups had no fixed organization; battalions and companies could be assigned and detached as needed. Of the types established, tank, tank destroyer and armored groups were little used; once the Army entered combat, most non-divisional tank and tank destroyer battalions were parceled out to divisions. The group headquarters themselves were mostly assigned to corps and divisions. Some tank, armored and tank destroyer groups headquarters, for example, became the Combat Command R headquarters of armored divisions. Other group types were assigned to corps and higher headquarters. Cavalry groups, for example, served mostly as corps-level reconnaissance units. Field artillery groups were also mostly found at corps level. The 1944 regulations specified distinguishing flags for groups. They were made of wool bunting, 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly. Designs were simple: branch colors either diagonally divided or with a diagonal stripe, the group number being centered and if necessary countercharged. Though regimental identities were restored in the Army in the 1950s, the group survived as an Army organizational type. Modern group flags are similar in design to those of the WW II era. Distinguishing flags were always carried or displayed with a National Standard, Service, made of wool bunting, 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly plus 2 1/2-inch yellow silk fringe. Credits: The drawings on these page are based on the specifications given in Army Regulation 260-10 dated 25 October 1944, a copy of which was kindly provided by FOTW Mailing List member Joseph McMillan.

BACK to US ARMY WW II Page