The Special Force Wing

[seebee1]

As the request of Donovan, I have started this thread on the Special Force Wing, to avoid the possibility of hijacking another thread. I raised a question concerning the validity of a statement made that this Wing was worn by US, Commonwealth and RAF Pilots and Aircrew in England who flew support missions for OSS and SOE.

As a start to this thread I will post an example (not sure if I have posted this previously) of a Jedburgh Special Force Wing that belonged to a British Sgt Jedburgh W/T Operator, who carried out 2 missions to France and following them a similar mission to Burma with Force 136. In the tin they came in are also other insignia's and bits and pieces, including his Parachute Wing gained following a short course at RAF Ringway. This Wing and the SF Wing were worn in France, he, as did most Jedburgh Teams, carried out his mission behind the lines in Uniform. When he served in Burma he continued to use the SF Wing he was issued with at Milton Hall, ME 65, but obtained another parachute Wing whilst there, I will attach an image of this Wing with this posting.

If there is interest in a Special Force Wing thread, this can address questions relating to its history and development, also examples of originals and those that need opinion too. I can post a few other examples in my collection and I am sure there are many others who can add to this as well. All the best, Clive.

[seebee1]

The parachute Wings he wore in Burma

[Mike B]

Great to see attributed items - also to learn of their history
This promises to be a very useful thread
Mike

[David Tremain]

I didn't think that pilots and aircrew wore those SF wings. They would have worn their regular wings and brevets. Only the Jedburgh teams - usually 1 British, 1 American and 1 French - would have worn them on their sleeve.

As usual, always open to other opinions.
David

[castagain]

I agree with David (and probably Clive as well) that RAF and other air forces personnel did not “wear” the SF wing on their uniforms. In my reply to another related thread, I deliberately chose the language that the SF wing may have “found its way into the hands of” pilots and aircrews who supported OSS and SOE missions from England (under the aegis of SFHQ, I’d add). You’ve put your finger precisely on one of the issues that were discussed in a series of articles by authors Les Hughes and Albert Mendez in the ASMIC quarterly publication, The Trading Post, in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The articles were extensive, and in my passing comment I greatly condensed their content and areas of disagreement. I come down on the side of Les Hughes’ conclusions. I’ll dig out the relevant back issues of The Trading Post and provide citations, so you can read the articles first hand and reach your own conclusions.

Best regards,
Donovan

P.S. Beautiful wings Clive, great to see them.

[seebee1]

Hopefully we have cleared this up, but will await the further details from Donovan that he mentions. I have never seen any written or photographic evidence of the Special Force Wing being worn or in the hands of RAF, Commonwealth or USAAF Pilots or Aircrew. I have been in contact with Les Hughes for many years and we have exchanged numerous emails on the subject of the Special Force Wing. His knowledge is second to none and hold him in high regard. I look forward to him hopefully contributing to this thread. I will post further examples of this iconic and unique Insignia and hope that others will follow suit. All the best for now, Clive.

[seebee1]

The Special Force Wing was designed by Captain Victor Gough of the Somerset Light Infantry, the winner of an open competition at Milton Hall. My belief is that its purpose was a unifying emblem for the newly formed multi-national Jedburgh Teams. It was also worn by others including SFHQ, OSS French-American and Norwegian-American Operational Groups, Poles of the BARDSEA Mission, SAARF, members of Force 136 and American USMC who served in the Union 11 Mission. More detail will be added hopefully to this thread in due course. Regards, Clive.

Originally Posted by David Tremain

I didn't think that pilots and aircrew wore those SF wings. They would have worn their regular wings and brevets. Only the Jedburgh teams - usually 1 British, 1 American and 1 French - would have worn them on their sleeve.

As usual, always open to other opinions.
David

[dobw]

I'll re-post this SF wing for the sake of comparison; then withdraw to lurk in the background and try to learn something, as the experts take the floor. The wing came from an OG veteran.