British made US badges of 1943

[badjez]

As a diversion from my normal interests the following snippet caught my eye.

21.07.43. Ordnance to supply US Army with 800,000 printed shoulder insignia. Was this for the US Army Air Force, or do other printed US badges exist?

11.08.43. Branston submitted Contract Demands on behalf of US Army:
800,000- US 8th Air Force
5,000- 29th Rangers
110,000- 5th Infantry Division

A quick search on Google found the pictures of two of these units, attributed to British manufacture, but nothing for 5th Inf Div. Can anyone provide one. Apparently it was a red diamond.

I am aware of Fifth US Army badges, and know these were worn by British units attached to them in 1944. The Fifth Army was formed 1943 in North Africa so is there a possibility of confusion between Division and Army?

Stephen.

[Postwarden]

Some other US cloth items attributed to British makers. The printed ETOUSA is a product of The Calico Printers Association.

Jon

[Mike B]

Very useful information - given the apparent scarcity of 29th Rangers it is very interesting to see 5,000 were ordered.
I would be interested to acquire one if anyone can help with any leads please
Mike

[badjez]

Mike,

I also found this snippet. I wonder if the Rangers initially wore British Battle Dress with the British titles, and at some time all BD and insignia went to be re-cycled together?

20.08.42. Directorate of Clothing & Stores made arrangements to supply 1,030 suits of Battle Dress to ‘American Commandos’.

Stephen.

[Phill Lockett]

Hi all

As a collector of US Shoulder sleeve Insignia, British made "patches" have always been sought after, however there has been a dearth of any information or original source material of manufacturers contracts etc..

The printed SSI that are most common and seen is ETOUSA, 8th and 9th AAF and they are referred to as used for "raincoat." The US command and soldiers didn't like printed SSI and were more use to and liked fully embroidered but also utilised localised British manufacturers.
Below are several British made.
British fully embroidered are known as schiffli embroidered re 1st, 9th , what sets British made SSI is the fact that they could never get the colour to exact US cable colors and are hence of a lighter shade.
I have located the area where these could of been manufactured and that was the heart of schiffli embroidery production( Lace) of Nottingham and Macclesfied to the north. There was also a well known manufacturer of Uniforms and Insignia John Hewitson who produced schiffli embroidery insignia for the British Army so my thoughts is that is where the US had patches made or there abouts. If anyone could add to this discussion or PM with any info it would be a great help.

All US units had "patches" made in the UK during the war including units that never set foot in Europe!

The 29th Rangers scroll commonly seen is as per Stephen image and 5000 printed for a small elite unit is excessive and would of been stopped mainly because of being printed(not liked)cost and the scroll was unofficial and only worn if locally approved by senior command, hence individual commands within the unit would of probably ordered as per and when required, mainly for winter dress uniform, Ike jacket and khaki shirt which is where you commonly see them on(embroidered on felt gauze backed).And worn British style both shoulders.

Would there have been printed made-yes for samples and probably a small batch,however none have been seen and would be extremely rare and as with all collecting never say never!!

Phill

[Postwarden]

Very interesting information.

I think the Hewitson referred to is actually
AW Hewetson,
Embroidery Manufacturers,
Albion Mills,
London Road,
Macclesfield.

I have been unable to find any evidence of them manufacturing WW2 cloth badges but they were heavily involved in making badges for the post-war British Army.

Further information always welcome.

Jon