Guide cross
The guide cross is part of the lighting system of military land vehicles. In order not to provide any clues to opposing forces, the road driving lights of tanks and trucks, for example , can be replaced by so-called camouflage lights when driving under combat conditions in the dark . It helps the following vehicle in the convoy to recognize the position and distance of the vehicle in front. The lighting of the guide cross is very weak, so that it is only visible to the naked eye a few meters away, even in absolute darkness.
The camouflage lighting has four levels, the guide cross lights up when levels 1 and 3 are switched on.
The guide cross (also known as the camouflage light guide cross ) is located at the rear of a vehicle and is usually a little concealed at the top. It consists of a green rubber sheet with a white cross painted on it. A small lamp body is attached to the intersection of the cross bars, in which there is an incandescent lamp (24 volts / 4 watts). The white cross bars are specifically illuminated through four openings in the lamp body. A cross-shaped frame made of thin steel tubes is attached to stabilize and protect the lamp. The rubber plate is flexibly attached so that it is not damaged or torn off when driving off-road.
When driving in convoy in the dark, at least level 1 of the camouflage circle should generally be used. The guide cross illuminated in this state represents the minimum of what the following driver needs for orientation. This is especially true when driving on forest paths where there is little or no ambient light at night and the vehicle ahead can only be guessed at.
Trips with the guide cross or the camouflage light in general are only to be carried out on command and are not permitted on public roads in peacetime.
source
- Technical service regulation (TDv) 2320/047 of the Bundeswehr (truck MAN 7 to gl) part 12
- Central Service Regulation (ZDv) 43/2 of the Bundeswehr (automotive engineering)
