British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/index.php)
-   Airborne, Elite and Special Forces Insignia (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37)
-   -   Para Wing worn by the OSS (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68926)

irish 24-07-18 12:42 PM

Para Wing worn by the OSS
 
I recently acquired a small group of insignia and photo negatives belonging to an OSS officer. Do not have his name at the moment however within the negatives some of which I have developed he has noted himself in the pictures. The photos start in early 1944 and run into late 1944. These that I am showing were taken in Cairo in early 1944. Upon leaving Cairo he was at Bari attached to the SBS "Special Bari Section" which was involved in Balkan operations. there were also a number of photos from the Brindisi parachute school. In addition there are a number of interesting photos from Burma.

What I am quite pleased with is the wing shown here. There are a number of photos in which it can be seen in wear. One of which is shown here. The individual firing the SMG at the pyramids is the OSS veteran. Just do not have a name yet. Will continue to post items from the group. Anyway here is the wing.
Enjoy
Jack

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psuhcoihvq.jpg
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psxx2mcoiy.jpg
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psn3tjfxuj.jpg
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfv1kphe6.jpg

Mike B 24-07-18 01:11 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Congratulations, an excellent find. Looking forward to any further posts concerning the grouping. Good to see images of insignia in wear too.
The design is very similar to a wing I have with attributed links to SOE Middle East : Force 133.
Mike

3battalion 24-07-18 02:01 PM

Strewth!

Rare wings Gents.

Thanks for sharing these.

Paul

irish 24-07-18 04:54 PM

Thanks Mike,
I had located a photo from a year old Bosley’s auction. It depicted a
Force 133 member wearing the almost exact wing as in my original post. He was however wearing it on his BD above the left pocket. All of the photos in this recent group show the wing being worn in a similar fashion to the SOE Jedburgh wing, on the sleeve.

Is it Kosher to post a photo from a closed auction on the forum.? It does not appear to be copyrighted.

Thanks to Paul also;

Jack

Mike B 24-07-18 05:28 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Thanks Paul for your kind comments, always appreciated

Jack - I think this is the image you refer to - as I have the items now, I don't think Steven Bosley will mind me posting the image you refer to. I apologise if I am breaching etiquette but hope it is of help to all and acknowledge Bosleys as the vendors.

I also have another wing of similar construction - but smaller - on KD, also Force 133.

Mike

Mike B 24-07-18 05:35 PM

2 Attachment(s)
This is the KD Wing, which came with a separate grouping
Mike

Hoping to see your grouping items Jack - always good to see attributed items

dobw 24-07-18 05:43 PM

Wow, great stuff, gents!

irish 24-07-18 05:45 PM

Mike, yes that is the image to which I was referring. Wonderful items you have posted. What might be the significance of the wing being worn on the sleeve versus on the chest?

Quick note: the SMG being fired in the photos appears to be the United Defense M42 or "Marlin". From what I have found in reading is that it was much preferred by the OSS as well as being dropped to partisans in small numbers

thanks
Jack

Mike B 24-07-18 06:14 PM

Hi Dob - thanks for encouragement - always welcome

Jack - unsure re wearing of wings, I doubt if connected to SAS etc re 'Operational experience' entitlement to wear on chest ... hoping one of the experts on here can advise us.
Mike

dobw 24-07-18 07:39 PM

I'm no expert, but I've always heard that the wings were moved to the breast after participation in an airborne operation.

Colin S 24-07-18 08:34 PM

OSS para wings
 
Fantastic display of wings - thanks to everyone who has contributed. As I understand it, with regard to British troops, it was only SOE and the SAS who allowed their troops to wear their wings on their left chest after an operational drop. This did not apply to regular troops from the Airborne Divisions, who always wore their wings on the right sleeve. (The only exception to that rule were the airborne troops based in India, who wore their wings on their right breast for a period.)

dobw 24-07-18 09:48 PM

Thanks for that clarification, Colin.

irish 24-07-18 10:10 PM

Thanks to everyone that has posted regarding this wing and it’s usage. Will post a few other items soon.
Jack

irish 25-07-18 07:31 PM

A vehicle with the OSS Special Bari Section markings. HQ SBS
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbetwt4wj.jpg

Mike B 25-07-18 08:17 PM

Interesting photo - without the attribution you have it could have caused confusion given 'SBS' acronym could relate to a number of contemporary formations (Special Boat Squadron etc).
Mike


All times are GMT. The time now is 07:54 PM.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.