FM 21-30 (1941)
Symbology
by Ryan Crierie

The following is from FM 21-30 “Basic Field Manual: Conventional Signs, Military Symbols and Abbreviations”; printed by the U.S. GPO in 1941.

Sources:

FM 21-30 “Basic Field Manual: Conventional Signs, Military Symbols and Abbreviations” 1941

Symbol

Generic Term

●

Squad

●●

Section

●●●

Platoon

│

Company
Troop
Battery
Air Corps Flight

││

Battalion
Cavalry Squadron
Air Corps Squadron

│││

Regiment
Group

X

Brigade
Air Corps Wing

X X

Division
Air Force

X X X

Corps

X X X X

Army

Unit Colors


Color

Friendly

Blue

Enemy

Red

Area Colors


Color

Areas to be covered with friendly fire or gas

Blue

Gassed Areas

Red

Basic Unit Containers


Troop Unit


Military Post, Station, or Headquarters Unit

Facility Symbols


Ammunition


Arsenal


Arsenal (Gas-Generating)


Air Corps Heavier-Than-Air Symbols


Airdrome


Airport (Landing Field)


Autogyro


Aircraft

Air Corps Lighter-Than-Air Symbols


Airship Hangar


Airship Mooring Mast


Airship



Balloon Ascension Point


Balloon Bed


Balloon


Balloon (Motorized)

Infantry Symbols


Basic


Mechanized

Armor Symbols


Armored Force


Tank Destroyer Force

Cavalry Symbols


Horse


Horse and Mechanized


Mechanized


Artillery Symbols


Basic


Mechanized


Anti-Aircraft

Engineering Symbols


Basic


Mechanized


Chemical Warfare Service

Support Services, etc


Quartermaster Corps


Military Police


Signal Corps


Signal Corps (Aviation)


Ordnance Department


Medical Corps


Transportation Service


Veterinary Corps