On Wed, 1 May 2013 07:09:23 +0100, D. St-Sanvain wrote
(in article ):

For these stars, it looks like a field modification, made in a hurry
"Don't shoot at me, I'm on your side" ?

Stars were used on British aircraft during Operation Torch, not just to
minimise friendly fire but also as a 'false flag' - following Mers el Kebir
the UK had reason to believe they would not be particularly popular with the
French in North Africa.

However, the location of ER219 is given as Shaibah - presumably RAF Shaibah
in Iraq. If correct, this line-up of aircraft is odd.