American pathfinder badge awarded to British airborne?
 

I’ve just re-read Bragg & Turner’ excellent 1978 book ‘Parachute Badges and Insignia of the World’ and noticed a reference to the British 1st Independent Parachute Platoon being authorised to wear the cloth U.S. Pathfinder torch badge during WWII as they had been trained by the Americans. Ollie Lock, in his British Airborne Insignia book, also mentions this authorisation.

Has anyone seen/have any evidence the badge was ever actually worn by any British pathfinders during WWII ?

Hi yes there is an original battle dress in a museum in the South of France the American Airborne performed so badly in the Sicily invision the British sent there pathfinders to retrain them the Badge is typical Italian Manufacture in wire

Thank you for that information. Is the badge worn on the lower left sleeve of the BD top or elswhere?

Regards,
Colin

Yes it was worn on the right lower sleeve:
https://www.paradata.org.uk/media/2100

Pathfinder badge
 

Great link and photo, Luc - question answered. Thank you very much.
Colin

Stunning group pic , very many thanks for taking the time to show this .

This is very inaccurate assessment. The problem lay with friendly fire, along with enemy fire, that made a mess of the drop. The 82nd themselves did not perform "badly".

CB

American pathfinder badge
 

Good evening gents,

Don't know if it's genuine but there's one on a dutch dealer's website.

Regards and keep safe,
Marinus

Please post a link Marinus, these are expensive but also heavily faked badges and I prefer we have the opportunity to discuss it openly.

American pathfinder badge link?
 

Hi Luc,

You can find it here in Clements Militaria shop.

Regards,
Marinus

It's a good one but badly beat up.

Paul

Can be upgraded seller says, that is so true!

It is original indeed but in very rough condition.

my uncle was in the paras in ww2 Africa,sicily,italy,arnhem,he got a military cross in sicily. when he and his men captured a german artillery gun and turned on the german positions. I have a photo of him getting his citation captured at Arnhem. captain stan panter his medals sold for 4 thousand pounds in London some years ago I which I could have bought them to add to my fathers if I had known they were for sale. lot of money though. my father was in bomber command navigator [whitley bombers]survived 5 missions I crash take landing 1 crash take off wounded left raf joined royal engineers 2nd leutenant d day plus 2 gold beach. france Belgium I have a photo of him and monty at a bbc showstand after the war I have his medals and badges and buttons and an original letter from monty to all troops on eve of d day his royal engineers officers cap and sash and officers bag I went on 70th d day commeration beaches, Pegasus bridge,museums that's when I started collecting arp,army air corp,parachute,glider pilot,raf,royal army and officer reserve,loyal service,afs,nfs badges and buttons very good site and helpfull in spotting real from fake

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