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
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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

Strewth!

Rare wings Gents.

Thanks for sharing these.

Paul

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

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

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

Wow, great stuff, gents!

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

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

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

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.)

Thanks for that clarification, Colin.

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

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

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

I had to do a little digging to confirm it. My first reaction when seeing it was Special Boat Squadron. However that made no sense based on this in all appearances was an American unit. Other indicators were the Balkan connections I had found in the names of other OSS personnel noted in the negatives. The Special Bari Section’s focus was the Balkans.

Yes indeed - the American presence and markings is a bit of a give away.
Looking forward to more interesting posts
Mike

http://http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9rpbxpxb.jpg


A photo of Captain Charles "Charlie" Fisher at the American Red Cross Club in July 1944 while in Bari. Did a bit of digging and determined that this is most likely the same Captain Charles Fisher who was killed in December 1944 in Slovenia. His original mission was to use Slovenia as a springboard into Austria and connecting with partisans in that country. Below is a portion of his Distinguished Service Cross Citation, posthumously awarded on January 11, 1946. His remains were not recovered until 1992.


"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 2677th Regiment, Office of Strategic Services, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, in action against enemy forces from 27 August 27 to 24 December 1944. With full knowledge of the dangers involved, Captain Fisher volunteered to establish an advance intelligence and operations base with the Partisans in enemy-held Slovenia. As Commanding Officer of this unit, he organized, trained, equipped and carried it safely through an extremely hazardous mission. For four months, behind enemy lines, under constant pressure from the enemy he accomplished the collection of secret intelligence of strategic value to the Allied Forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, working at all times under the most difficult and perilous conditions. The continuance of his operations was subject to the further hardships of living in inaccessible mountainous terrain in bitter weather and of constant moving to evade enemy attacks. About December 1944, Captain Fisher was reported missing following a previous attack on the Partisan Headquarters with which he was working, and subsequent attempts to gain further information as to his fate led only to the conclusion that he was killed in action."

Very interesting and an acknowledgement of the hazardous nature of the missions these chaps got involved with
Mike

Thanks Mike, appreciate your interest and comments. Another shot from Bari. The Pro Station was your first stop before a night out with the ladies.
Jack

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshxxjorel.jpg

I wonder what the kiddies are foraging for? ... hard times!
First thoughts were a Yank or two must have been standing there are dropped a few sweets
Mike

Excellent Jack. I display a similar wing, as image attached. Although there was not a specific wing worn by those who served in SOE, this is a more uncommon pattern. regards, Clive.

Thank you Clive. I had seen attributions to SOE for this wing but as you mention no specific wing was authorized for this organization. My OSS person must have had access to the same same supply channels or interaction with British personnel who were sourcing these type of wings. One question in my mind is where might they have been made. Italy, Egypt?
Best
Jack

Here is a leather patch from this group that has used as it's inspiration the U.S. Army Airborne Command patch. There are a number of differences in color's as well as the type of plane depicted but it is close.

This type leather patch is consistent with WW2 era Italian made U.S. Air Force squadron and group patches worn on leather A-2 flight jackets. This OSS individual must have sourced a leather jacket at some point. Has been removed and show's wear to the colors.
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...pst22dg0kq.jpg

Hi Clive and all
Yes, the similarity with the Force 133 Wing, (Force 133 being an SOE organisation) is striking. What is interesting is the theatres of war in which Christine Granville operated.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krystyna_Skarbek

If my rushed interpretation is correct her service saw her journeying to Poland, France, Hungary and Turkey - with an escape to Cairo. You may wish to check my interpretation. I believe the Wing you illustrate may also have Middle East origins, which could be borne out by the stop in Cairo. All perhaps a bit of a 'leap of faith'. But may explain similarity with Force 133 attributed wing and also Special Bari Section OSS attributed wing.

I have always been puzzled why the Wing illustrated in the Christine Granville portrait could be considered British made - although perhaps it was ... more evidence required to prove things one way or another.

All the best
Mike

PS - Quick definition of Force 133

http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/...10803095827808

Jack
Interesting item - thanks for posting ... keep them coming ...
Mike

Jack, a great grouping, congratulations on landing it (I bid on it too). Appreciate you printing the negatives and sharing the photos. I love the pilot’s case this batch came in too — that and the photo negatives really personalized the story of the insignia, tucked away in that weathered case for many years. Well done.

Best wishes,
Donovan

Thanks Mike and Clive

Donovan, almost talked my self out of the group because it seemed too good. The negative sleeves and there notations relating to OSS and SOE locations (Cairo, Bari, Brindisi, Burma) locked it all down for me. The photos some of which I am still having developed are great. My inclination based on some of the photos is that he may have also been with OSS Det 101 in Burma. Will also post some of these.

Best
Jack

After some deduction, elimination and double checking notations on the negative sleeves I feel with a fair degree of certainty that this is the OSS individual whom the badges belonged. Still do not know a name and that may never be possible. Here are shots of him first in Cairo firing off the United Defense 42 SMG, second photo is him chuted up at Brindisi and third as a Captain in Siena Italy late 44 wearing a leather A2 jacket. The leather patch I had posted earlier may have been sewn to this jacket at some point.
Thanks
Jack
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Thanks for sharing the images - the grouping is a very interesting find
The wings in the first of the last three images (post 29) look to have less parallel wing feathers than the wing illustrated in post 1 - it may just be me, or of course the wearer could have had several wings issued to them. The wings at 1 appear to be unworn but you will know better than me.
Mike

Mike the wings have been removed from a uniform. The stitching line is still lightly visible on the reverse photo. I believe the fellow on the pole in post 1 is also the the OSS member who the wings belonged too based on comparison and IMO.
Thanks
Jack

In reading the link on Christine Granville and Mike’s link to Force 133 there are a few common intersections that I see. Cairo and Bari. An American collector who has seen the wing thought India. My feelings “with no proof to back it up” is North Africa likely Egyptian. It is being worn by the OSS member prior to his moving to Italy from what I can see. The back of the wing is not consistent with Italian made pieces. It appears too finely made for India, meaning the thickness of thread is thinner and a bit softer.

Hi Jack - yes agree re the image of wear in post 1
Also - you echo my thoughts on form and construction - surely Middle East.
Certainly doubt Far East, or Italy, and can not see the logic of British ... in fact pretty unique and I remain convinced Middle East (including strong possibility of Egypt) ... of course, I always welcome comments ... it is good to debate these points.
All the best
Mike

A discussion started on a forum here in the U.S. regarding the photo showing the sign .."HQ Adriatic Depot"...

It has been suggested that the "HQ Adriatic Depot" was in fact "HQ Land Forces Adriatic, "LFA". In addition that the OSS individual may have been attached to the LFA. Curious what others thought of this idea?

In addition I wanted to add my source for the conclusion that the SBS was the Special Bari Section. It was found in a document at the National Archives titled.. and it can be googled as such

"OSS Glossary of Initialisms, Abbreviations, and Acronyms...Office of Strategic Services Records (Record Group 226)"

In the S section............SBS Special Bari Section, OSS Balkan Operations

Thanks
Jack

Lets face it - Bari was a real 'melting pot' for units having an interest in Balkans, Yugoslavia etc. I am sure I have read of US interests in the theatre too, supported by your findings regarding OSS (Special Bari Section).

This article is lengthy but interesting and worthy of further analysis:
http://www.britain-at-war.org.uk/ww2...driatic_hq.htm

Note the LFA formation sign in the MT HQ image. Is the bloke front second left a Yank?

I have a feeling the following (next) article makes the common mistake of misappropriating the acronym 'SBS', - and it is Jellicoe's 'Special Boat Squadron' that is being referred to when the author talks of the unit under LFA (as opposed to earlier Commando 'Special Boat Section' briefly incorporated into early SAS. The (Royal Marine associated) 'Special Boat Service' is a more recent reincarnation.

https://jramc.bmj.com/content/jramc/85/1/41.full.pdf

There is the whole matter of the role and composition of Brigadier Turnbull's Raiding Forces Middle East - it is all a fascinating but complex theatre of war to analyse.

I hope the articles are of interest

Having not seen the discussion on the American forum it is difficult to comment more specifically.

Regards
Mike

Para Wing worn by OSS
 

During the period the parachute Training School was in Operation at Bari in Italy (I think it was 4 METS) somewhere in the region of 70 men who have either the annotation of OSS or OSS/SBS passed through it. It seems that by their ranks they were in the main members of the US Forces.

Members of the SBS (British Army) who attended the training school just have the annotation SBS as their Regiment.

As far as I can see none of the men with OSS/SBS went on to serve with the British SBS.

This makes me feel that Special Bari Section is the likely meaning of the letters used by the US Forces.

I was unable to find Charles Fisher's name amoncst those who trained there. Not that particularily means anything as he could have been trained at other establishments in either the UK,US or North Africa.

Cheers

Arnhem

Para Wing worn by OSS
 

As a quick update i have found a member of the OSS by the bame of Lt C.O. Fisher on a roll for the parachute training school at Kabrit in North Africa.

He was on course 98 which commenced on 5/2/44

Cheers

Arnhem

Arnhem - superb information thank you. This thread has been very useful in uncovering a lot of information I did't know. Thanks to Jack for raising the subject
Mike

Arnhem thank you for that information. In reviewing the OSS personnel files available online I believe that Charles Fisher's middle initial was indeed "O". so this should be our man. Had not heard of the Kabrit Parachute School prior to this. Will give me some additional research to pursue.

Mike appreciate your continued interest in this topic. I have read through one half of the first link you provided. Very interesting. What struck me in addition to the special units involved was the always present search for more to eat and or better food to eat, more sleep, a bit of drink, and smokes. A common thread in all war memories irregardless of the units involved

I am attaching a photo of an additional OSS officer unnamed at this point. it is dated roughly December 1944 in Sienna Italy. Sienna from what I have found also had OSS/SOE connections. He is wearing both a U.S. jump wing as well as what appears to be a British wing. Difficult to tell from the photo if it is the standard pattern British wing or a different type.
Thanks
Jack
http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvs9qszys.jpg

Hi Mike,

I believe I have some other memorabilia belong to the same Veteran.