It appears that RCAF personnel at 2 Wing were making use of standard French licence plates in 1952 and 1953.
The following detail is an extract from 1 Air Division Historical Records:
December 1953
Private Motor Vehicle Registration
Negotiations were completed with French officials in Paris for the uniform licensing of private motor vehicles in France. AF plates were to be substituted for the existing TT Plates.
Automobiles owned by RCAF personnel in France were registered under the "AF" system sometime in 1954. The licence plates of vehicles registered at RCAF Station Grostenquin all started with the number 2. Licence plates issued to RCAF personnel in France between 1954 and 1962 were similar in design to that of the French plate. The shape of the licence plate changed and took on a standard 6x12 design in 1962.
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Automobile insurance was a necessity in France. Do you remember driving out the main gate, travelling about 200 to 250 yards, and there they were on the right - a number of small buildings that served as sales outlets for automobile insurance.
There appeared to be two major players: American Military Insurance (AMI) and the Fortune Insurance Company.
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When a vehicle was registered under the AF system, the owner was entitled to purchase US Quartermaster Gas coupons. This enabled the owner of the vehicle to purchase gasoline at approximately 25 cents per gallon. The Quartermaster coupons were rationed on the basis of the size of the car as follows:
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60 BHP and above |
400 litres per month |
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59 BHP and below |
200 litres per month |
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Motor Cycles |
80 litres per month |
Gasoline coupons were purchased at an outlet in the same building that housed the Snack Bar, the news stand and the PX – upon presentation of your vehicle registration (or authorization letter in the case of a rental) and ID card. These coupons were redeemable at most ESSO gas stations, and at BP gas stations on the Autobahn.
The buyer had to ensure that he purchased gasoline coupons in accordance with his needs. As an example, gasoline coupons were valid for specific countries. French gasoline coupons could only be redeemed at gas stations in France. If you were planning a trip to Germany, then you had to ensure that you purchase German gasoline coupons.
Also of interest is the monthly entitlement. You could not legally obtain an amount beyond your monthly entitlement. If you were entitled to 40 litres per month, then you could purchase up to that amount – and no more. Gasoline coupons were sold in different increments – 5 litre books, 10 litre books and 20 litre books. While it was not legal, it was not unusual to rely on friends to help out when you required additional amounts for lengthy driving during vacations.
Do happen to have any memories or detail pertaining to how RCAF personnel made use of gasoline coupons?
If so - please send us an email message - and we will gladly add your information to this article.
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This page is located at
http://www.grostenquin.org/misc/gtmisc-2.html
Updated: June 29, 2004
