A translation of German vehicle markings to aid Allied soldiers in operating captured vehicles, from Intelligence Bulletin, April 1944. [Editor's Note: The following article is wartime information on enemy equipment and tactics published for Allied soldiers. More accurate data on German equipment and tactics is available in postwar publications.]

NOTES ON GERMAN VEHICLE MARKINGS On the instrument panels and other parts of captured vehicles, there are various words and phrases which are very likely to puzzle the U.S. soldier. In translation, however, they will make sense to almost anyone who has been accustomed to driving U.S. vehicles. 1. IGNITION SWITCH POSITIONS 0--All off except windshield wiper and inspection light. 1--Parking lights on. 2--Headlights and parking lights on. When the ignition key is withdrawn, only the above are available. When the ignition key is inserted, the ignition is switched on, the horn and the turn indicator arm will work, and also the lights as above. 2. NIGHT-DRIVING SWITCH POSITIONS O--Night-driving equipment turned off. H--Screened headlight off; only the distance (convoy) rear light on. V1--Rear blackout light on, screened headlight weak. V2--Rear blackout light on, screened headlight medium. V3--Rear blackout light on, screened headlight bright. 3. WARNING LIGHTS The ignition light shows red when the ignition is on but the battery is not charging. The oil pressure warning light shows green until the oil pressure is normal. When the headlight main beam is "bright," a capital "F" (Fern) is lighted on blue glass. 4. CONTROLS The control marked "START" is not that of the starter, but of the starter device in the carburetor. The control marked "ANLASSER" is the self-starter button. The control marked "GAS" is the accelerator lever. The control marked "SPAR" is a hand-accelerator control. The control marked "A" (Auf) means that the gasoline flow is turned on; "Z" (Zu) means that the gasoline flow is turned off; "R" (RESERVE) means reserve gasoline. The radiator (KÜHLER) shutter control marked "AUF" means open; "ZU" means closed. The pedal marked "K" or "KUPPLUNG" is the clutch. The pedal marked "B" or "BREMSE" is the brake. The gear-lever positions are marked I, II, III, IV, and so on; "R" or "RÜCKWÄRTS" means reverse; "G" or "GELÄNDE" means cross-country under-drive (for further gear reduction). The auxiliary gear-lever marked "STR" or "STRASSE" indicates the normal drive (rear wheels only); "G" or "GEL" indicates the front-wheel drive; "SW" or "SPILL" engages the winch. 5. TIRE PRESSURES Tire Pressures are written on the fenders in white. The figure given should be multiplied by 15 to get the tire pressure in pounds. 6. FILLERS AND DRAIN PLUGS For grease--red. For water--white. For brake-oil--yellow.

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