Beach Groups - Composition

[SAS1]

I recently picked up one of these formation signs for the Beach Groups, those sent on to secure Beach Heads, which were composed of all three services. It made me wonder, were there any other Beach Groups, such as the 22nd (which used the penguin flash) that incorporated RAF Units?

In other words, were there any other similar Beach Groups Formation patches worn by the RAF besides this one?

[Mike Jackson]

All Beach Groups had an RAF component. For example:

"9 Beach Group was made up of a HQ, an infantry element, five specialist elements (including RN Beach Commando, HAA, LAA, Signals and RAF Balloon Unit) and initially 18 technical elements (including Med, Ord, RAOC, REME, Pioneer, Pro and RAF Engineers). Comd was CO 2 Herts, Lt Col JR Harper. Strength was almost 5,000 all ranks".

22 Beach Brigade (not 22 Beach Group) was a late War formation, probably established after the dissolution of the Beach Groups formed for Operation Overlord. I have no details of its establishment (nor that of the post-War 264 Beach Brigade (TA)).

The short answer is "No". The universal sign worn by Beach Groups was the anchor to which you refer (which surprisingly was made in facing pairs). Indian Beach Groups wore a different sign. 22 Beach Brigade's sign was as mentioned.

And finally:

From the R Berks history: "No 8 Beach Group was to establish and maintain first lines of supply for 3 Can Inf Div, Second Army....The old divisional sign (54 Inf Div) was replaced, at Canadian insistence, by the rectangular French Grey battle patch of 3 Can Inf Div on which was superimposed the Beach Group sign of a "fouled anchor" with the regimental Brandywine flash beneath it."

[badjez]

This link might be of interest

http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/1...ch_flight.html

A few weeks ago I saw a book in Kew which was solely about the Beach Groups. Sadly I didn't note details. It was a recent publication.

Stephen.

[SAS1]

Thanks Mike

You are right about the pairs (see below), any idea which went on which arm?

I think the 22nd was formed right at the end of the war for entry into Japan but the bomb curtailed that. So am I to assume no RAF Personnel wore the Penguin, or indeed the Indian Beach Groups badge?

Thanks Stephen for the link, very helpful in filling in the many blanks I had!

[Staffsyeoman]

The curve in the sheet (a rope, in naval terms) fouling the anchor always faces forwards as you look at it, so you have a pair there.

[Mike Jackson]

So am I to assume no RAF Personnel wore the Penguin, or indeed the Indian Beach Groups badge?

I don't know, but research continues.

Follow the link to the OOB of 46 Indian Beach Group (which did have an RAF element):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tianyak...n/photostream/