Identify Shoulder Patch - WWII Polish Army under British Command

[jlarysz]

Can anyone identify this shoulder patch for me? It's a blow up from the only photograph I have of my father during WWII. He was Polish. He escaped from Poland after the invasion, signed up with the British Army in Haifa, and was placed initially in the Independent Carpathian Rifles. At some point he was transferred (or reorganised) to the 3 Carpathian Infantry. If I knew what unit this patch belongs to I can get closer to where and when the picture was taken.

[Bill A]

Hi jlarysz, welcome to the Forum.Your account is active and open for posts.
The patch appears to be an 8th Army formation sign.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Hi jlarysz, welcome to the Forum.Your account is active and open for posts.
The patch appears to be an 8th Army formation sign.

Like this example:
8 Eighth Army_Crick.jpg

[BWEF]

Originally Posted by jlarysz

Can anyone identify this shoulder patch for me? It's a blow up from the only photograph I have of my father during WWII. He was Polish. He escaped from Poland after the invasion, signed up with the British Army in Haifa, and was placed initially in the Independent Carpathian Rifles. At some point he was transferred (or reorganised) to the 3 Carpathian Infantry. If I knew what unit this patch belongs to I can get closer to where and when the picture was taken.

The earliest that your photo can be taken is February 1944, when 2 Polish Corps moved from Egypt to Italy. This Corps included 3 Carpathian Division.

Of course, the pic could have been taken later in the war, in Italy, but you do have a start date.

Here is some information on the 2 Polish Corps. It is only wiki, but you can just go on from there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/II_Corps_(Poland)

[jlarysz]

That's probably right; it just doesn't help me. The 8th army was so big and diverse this doesn't narrow down the time and place at all. I thought the cross on the patch was darker than the yellow of the 8th army - maybe Polish red.

[jlarysz]

Thanks. That helps a lot. Would you explain a little more please? My father was in North Africa and Italy for the whole war, and one respondent has identified this as the 8th Army patch. It was all 8th Army, from 1940 to the end of the war. Why could this not have been his patch before 1944?

[BWEF]

Originally Posted by jlarysz

That's probably right; it just doesn't help me. The 8th army was so big and diverse this doesn't narrow down the time and place at all. I thought the cross on the patch was darker than the yellow of the 8th army - maybe Polish red.

If you post the complete photos, rather than just the formation sign, people might be able to help you more.

Even the backs of photos and postcards can sometimes provide a clue!

[jlarysz]

Here's the whole photo.

[BWEF]

What does the back look like?