Odd combo of formation signs: 6th SAAD, 5th US Army

[loupie1961]

I have recently purchased a BD blouse badged to a Sargent Major of the South African Engineer Corps serving in the 6th South African Armoured Division but possibly seconded to the 5th US Army. The combination of formations insignie stitched to the BD blouse is rather odd, comprehensive the usual SAEC metal titles, overseas service orange tab, embroidered South Africa arc nationality titles and both 5th US Army and 6th SAAD flashes. What does not seem to make too much sense are the "South Africa" curved titles, quite redundant since the BD blouse does not lack other signs denoting the nationality of the wearer. Have you met this kind of occurrence before, gents? Thank you so much for your kind help!

[54Bty]

The US 5th Army SSI was awarded to those units that served with them in Italy.
I am sure chapter and verse will be posted soon.

Marc

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

The US 5th Army SSI was awarded to those units that served with them in Italy.
I am sure chapter and verse will be posted soon.

Marc

Thank you Marc, this is an occurrence I had overlooked, indeed!

[Milmed]

Just a gut feel but that looks like a made up uniform. The South Africa arm title is definitely out of place on that uniform. I hope you did not pay too much for it.

[Alex Rice]

Agree with Milmed. I don't remember seeing any uniforms both with The shoulder-strap title & red tab as well as a national title.
Cheers,
Alex

[loupie1961]

Hello everybody! thank you for the feedback. As a matter of fact I understand and share your doubts, still I am not sure the BD blouse has been made up. I mean, it looks like some kind of come back item, rather than a deliberate fake. Who would add the arc nationality titles on purpose, knowing that they would have been redundant? On the other hand, could an engineer seconded to the 5th US Army have wanted to add some titles that would explain openly his national belonging to the usually quite ignorant GIs? The BD blouse did not come alone, but in a lot (that could have put together) comprehensive of a 1940 dated SA MK II helmet, a pair of 1945 dated SA made battledress trousers, Canadian webbing belt, suspenders, revolver holster and compass pouch. So in the event the price paid for the BD blouse is balanced by the effective value of the other items in the lot (this is the second time only I have seen a pair of South African made BD trousers in almost 40 years of collecting).

[Frank Kelley]

I too, suspect that has simply been made up to it's present state, notwithstanding, you still have each piece and as long as each is original, you have a basic collective value.

Originally Posted by loupie1961

I have recently purchased a BD blouse badged to a Sargent Major of the South African Engineer Corps serving in the 6th South African Armoured Division but possibly seconded to the 5th US Army. The combination of formations insignie stitched to the BD blouse is rather odd, comprehensive the usual SAEC metal titles, overseas service orange tab, embroidered South Africa arc nationality titles and both 5th US Army and 6th SAAD flashes. What does not seem to make too much sense are the "South Africa" curved titles, quite redundant since the BD blouse does not lack other signs denoting the nationality of the wearer. Have you met this kind of occurrence before, gents? Thank you so much for your kind help!

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

I too, suspect that has simply been made up to it's present state, notwithstanding, you still have each piece and as long as each is original, you have a basic collective value.

Well, I agree. Still the whole set is quite puzzling: the collar lapels have two small holes and the lugs of South African Engineers Corps collar badges fit perfectly in. And there si a faint but still visible outline of the SAEC collar badges having been worn on the lapels sometime. But still a Sargent should have been wearing normal 6th SAAD/SAEC combo epaulette slip ons (no use for the 6th SAAD on the BD sleeve), and definitively no "South Africa" nationality titles. Also I can't understand why a Sapper should have been so well trained in the use of light and heavy MGs.