5 Inf Bde

[Mike Jackson]

My attached note reads: As at Feb 84 - RHG/D, 4 Fd Regt RA, 36 Engr Regt, 10 GR, 63 Sqn RCT, PCT 16 Fd Amb, 82 Ord Coy, 10 Fd Wksp, 160 Pro Coy.
I also noted that the flash worn by the RHG/D was smaller than the DZ flash-size designs worn by the other units.
img192.jpg

[grey_green_acorn]

Here from Soldier Magazine is an illustration of the DZ Flashes for successor formation 16 Air Assault Brigade

Tim

[Mike Jackson]

Tim,
Thanks. I have an interim version somewhere. I'll let you see it when found.
Mike

[grey_green_acorn]

This would be it?

5 Airborne Brigade field identification flashes

Tim

[Mike Jackson]

Correct! It would be good to find the equivalent for the 1950s 16 Para Bde and 44 Para Bde (TA). 33 Para Lt Regt RA and the Para Sqn RAC are particularly hard to come by.
Mike

[tynesideirish]

Originals are. Our non favourite tailor is knocking them out like smarties.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

This would be it?

5 Airborne Brigade field identification flashes

Tim

No - similar but with additions and deletions:

Armd Regt is black/red, Pathfinder Pl, 1 Para and RAF are added. Tpt Sqn is retitled Log Bn. Fd Amb is retitled PFA. Ord Coy and Fd Wksp are deleted.

I'll scan it when my scanner accepts that it is one single A4 document.

[Mike Jackson]

5 Inf Bde was retitled 5 AB Bde on 14 Nov 83. The booklet from which these extracts were taken was published shortly after that date. This of course followed the disbandment of 16 Para Bde in 1977 and the retitling of 8 Field Force to 5 Inf Bde in January 1982.
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[GregN]

Hi guys, what was the purpose of DZ flashes? Are they simplified regimental shoulder titles?
BTW I still looking to find out what the flash with the double red stripes is.
Greg

[Mike Jackson]

I believe these were introduced for widespread use in the 1950s in the early days of 16 Para Bde and 44 Para Bde (TA). Very little in the way of insignia was worn on Dennison smocks in WW2, although Wehrmacht photographic evidence of 1 AB Div and 6 AB Div PW shows fully badged BD blouses being worn under smocks.
The original purpose - possibly a Lesson Identified from the large sacle operations of WW2, was to ease the identification, by unit, of soldiers scattered across a DZ, and the wearing of flashes soon proliferated across the Airborne community. In 1963 at No 1 PTS, RAF Abingdon almost all students had DZ flashes on their smocks - those I remember most vividly (because they were unusual) were those of 10 Para (TA) and 15 Para (TA). For the record, RMA Sandhurst cadets' Dennison smocks were totally unmarked - being short term loan items only.

[fearnaught]

Hi Mike, I've had this for some time and was never sure if it was original. The two pieces are just glue to the backing, probably not a problem sewn to a uniform but when removed would just be two pieces. Any ideas? Mike

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by fearnaught

Hi Mike, I've had this for some time and was never sure if it was original. The two pieces are just glue to the backing, probably not a problem sewn to a uniform but when removed would just be two pieces. Any ideas? Mike

Mike,
My example is identical. I've had it for decades and have always assumed it dates back to the early days of 7 Para Lt Regt RHA. Or although this contradicts John Waring (33 Para Lt Regt RA - yellow square DZ flash) this colour was not worn by members of 33 Para Lt Regt whom I met in the winter of 1960. I'm sure that I would have remembered a yellow patch!
Mike

[54Bty]

I have (in the past) always pooh poohed the Yellow DZ for 33, I mean who would wear yellow. Then I found myself enjoying a full English while sat in the WO and Sgts Mess of 7 with not one but two protraits of SNCOs in beret, smock, denims, armed with an SMG looking down on me both smocks sporting a Yellow DZ patch. I have since managed to obtain all the sleeve badges worn by a member of 33 which included printed Belerophon astride the winged horse Pegasus, horizontal stiched para wings and a yellow DZ patch.

Marc