RAF PARATROOPER WW2

[NEMO]

This photo is a recent pick up and shows an RAF FLT/SGT wearing a parachute qualification wing on his left breast .

I have my own ideas what unit this may be but welcome
opinions and input , regards ,Nemo

he could also be RAF Regt

peter

[rockape560]

hi,

if he is a rockape should he not be wearing "mudguards"
any idea when the raf regt first started to wear "mudguards"?.allways thought rockapes wore their wings on their arm.

philip

[signalman]

The Indian Army Paratroops wore their badge in the same position on B.D etc and were still doing it in 1945.This could be an early photograph when the R.A.F were training the army to jump.Just a thought. Phil.

[rockape560]

hi phil,

you may be right but would he not have been wearing a raf pji badge or indian army wings.

prob be told by more expert guys on here,always willing to learn

philip

[jagw]

As an old WW2 RAF paratooper we wore the Armies wings on our arm.The practice in India was to wear it on the right breast untill being on ops then it moved to the left breast.

There were few RAF Regiment para Squadrons, in the far east 2810 squadron In Italy 2721 and 2771 squadrons.Along with individuals on attachment to various groups.I was in an Foreward Air Control operating with Airborne Forces not RAF Regt. others were attached to the RN unit Sea Recon. Unit in Burma.Also a company of RAF Levies operated with Aiborne Forces

Hope this explains the location of qualification wings.

john

[rockape560]

hi john,

many thanks for clearing up the confusion on the badge.like i said always willing to learn

philip

[Artynut]

The regiment was formed on 1st Feb 1942. Air Ministry Order 466, 1942, ordered the wearing of the shoulder flash. Dave, ex 37 Sqn. LAA, Royal Air Force Regiment.

[pembrokshireboy]

Hi there,i thought that Wings on the chest meant that the wearer had done a combat jump

[jagw]

pembrokeshireboy,no thats not it only in the far east when qualified from a Parachute Training School in India.

The only unit to wear the qualification was 'L' Detachment SAS and subsquent follow on Units after three combat operation,2nd SAS continued to wear oon arm

John

[signalman]

Here is a section of a very rare photograph taken at the Indian Army Airborne Training Unit in 1945 showing the wings as worn by Indian troops and their Colonel. All sitters are named. Phil.

[Gurkha]

Very nice phil, thanks for posting it
Steve

[signalman]

No prob's Steve my pleasure. The little lad is the son of one of the Gurkha officers in his 'Junior para outfit'. Phil.

[NEMO]

HI good morning , many thanks for the replies and comments so far I will add a full reply later but at the moment thanks for showing the Indian Airborne staff photo .

This photo is superb on many levels , one reason been its great to see the mixture of uniforms worn within the same unit , a mixture of normal battledress , 4 pocket KD , jungle greens , service dress etc etc.

Most of the wings appear to be pin back or press stud fixed and worn as a general rule on the right breast as expected.

A great point about this photo is the instructor wearing his insignia and wings on his wool jumper , a very nice rare image , thanks again ,Nemo

[ARTE ET MARTE]

Could he have served with SOE ??