Pegasus, 44th Indian Airborne Division....
 

Second World War Indian Army formation badge for 44th Indian Airborne Division.
Formation note: As there was no need for an Indian Armoured Division in South East Asia, 44th Armoured Division was disbanded in March 1944 and its HQ and divisional personnel were used to form 44th Indian Airborne Division in April. The establishment of the division was one air-landing brigade and two Indian parachute brigades each of one British, one Gurkha and one Indian battalion. A battalion group from 50th Indian Parachute Brigade dropped onto Elephant Point in the retaking of Rangoon on 1 May 1945. This was the only time Indian airborne troops fulfilled their airborne role.

© IWM(INS 7400)
Width 60 mm,Height 83 mm
http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib...2993/large.jpg
http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib...d%2520insignia


© IWM (INS 4937)
http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib...7900/large.jpg
No photo of the back.

© IWM (INS 4125)
Height 69 mm, Width 65 mm.
http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib...2742/large.jpg

On display at the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham:

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=144509

(Apologies for the poor lighting, shadow etc.)

This example - with the folds nearer the design to make the sign more compact - was worn by Brig BAG Jones. As stated the Division's operational service was limited - its intended role in the invasion of Malaya did not materialise. Units did however perform an important role by being organised into comparatively small groups and being dropped into Japanese held territory in Java, Sumatra, Malaya, Singapore, Indo-China and Hong Kong to accept the surrender of large enemy forces and assist Allied PW and Internees. Mike
Attachment 177989

The one I have.

And my tuppence worth.

Marc

My example

Tim

Nice to see so many good examples of something one usually only sees in the 'rare' and probably dodgy category. Thanks for sharing, gentlemen.

Couldn't agree more.

JT

I have posted this photograph before but it is worth showing again.

A Great photo Simon, we have a WW2 coloured one of my Grandad, no Insignia showing though.
Thought I would add a couple of wings to go with these.
Paul

It is a superb photograph but sadly I do not know who he is.

The photograph appears to have been taken at a studio in Llandrindod Wells and framed in Wandsworth, South London. Presumably he was stationed in L W before demob and had the photograph framed in his home town. I have never taken it out of its frame to see if there is a name on the back.

I would love to own a set of badges like the ones that you have uploaded, perhaps one day I will stumble across a set.

124 RA (AA) OCTU
 

It is probably just a coincidence but Llandrindod Wells rang a bell - it was the location of 124 RA(AA) OCTU during and immediately after the War. Perhaps he was on the Staff on his return from India? Mike

44 Indian AB Div
 

Passed by Censor at HQ SEAC on 3 May 45 the caption is misleading: "Paratroops land at Rangoon. Paratroops of South East Asia Command landed yesterday, 1st of May 1945, having been dropped by air on strategic points around this town and port. The paratroop landing was followed up by seaborne landings from the Royal Navy. Landings were made from the sea south of Rangoon from both banks of the Rangoon River. 2304. Indian paratroops emplaning for the operation. In the doorway is Sgt Varley of 4 South Street, Barnsley, Yorks, assisting the paratroops into the aircraft at the bottom is F/Sgt G Balance of 53 Sunnyside Crescent, Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland. MJ Comment. Given the lack of leg bags, weapons, helmets etc this is more likely a routine "clean fatigue" training jump. No insignia of any kind that I can see, but No 4 in the Stick is carrying a pretty hefty kukri.
Attachment 178115

Many thanks Mike. I have several photographs of the preparations for the parachute landings at Elephant Point in my collection. I will dig them out.

I have a pair of wings I very recently acquired thought by a friend to be late or very early post war with a possibility of being worn on operations such as the one at Elephant Point or the smaller operations as mentioned by Mike earlier in the thread, I'd appreciate any thoughts on these
Thanks
Paul