Strange badge on early commandos

[No5Cdo]

Originally Posted by Voltigeur

Hello gents. I would like to add something to this subject. Since both men participated in the Lofoten commando raid (Op.Claymore) and since the Lofoten
Islands are above the Artic Circle,perhaps someone thought it would be a good idea to have something to remember the raid and had a (perhaps) metal polar bear made, to be worn very unoffically by those who were active in the raid.The fact that the commando in the top photo is already wearing the polar bear is a bit strange.
After all the Br.49th Infantry Division adopted a polar bear as its div.sign after fighting in Norway and based in Iceland for a time.

Jo

Hi Jo,
I, too, thought it resembled a Polar Bear - but haven't been able to find anything which might confirm that theory as yet...

Nick

[Mike B]

I spent the morning looking through the internet under 'Good Luck' badges, 'Polar Bear' badges, even looked at Good luck 'Rabbit' badges (in case it had its ears down) ... ;-) ... signs of desperation setting in
Struggling but there will be an explanation out there.
I am pleased Bulo started this thread - it has puzzled me for a long time and it would be good to get an answer.

Mike

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Mike B

I spent the morning looking through the internet under 'Good Luck' badges, 'Polar Bear' badges, even looked at Good luck 'Rabbit' badges (in case it had its ears down) ... ;-) ... signs of desperation setting in
Struggling but there will be an explanation out there.
I am pleased Bulo started this thread - it has puzzled me for a long time and it would be good to get an answer.

Mike

Not intended as a facetious comment, but white highland terriers seem to have been very popular good luck charms (I can't think why!). Mike

[Ray6930]

For what it's worth, it is my understanding that in Iceland the 49th patch featured the Polar bear with its head down and when the unit returned to UK it was decided that this was a passive stance so the patch was changed to have the head up
These metal badges, if bears, would seem to have the head up.
Can't work out how to copy a link on a tablet but thread
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ead.php?t=9099
discusses bear patches and does mention metal bears
Ray

[Mike B]

Mike - Thanks for the 'heads up' on Highland Terriers ...
Ray - or was it one of your 'heads down', 'heads up' Polar Bears ;-)