Commando de France Title and Star for Review

[cymro]

I am not a special forces collector, but I do have a very old collection of WW2 cloth that I was very passionate about collecting many years ago. One piece of cloth in the shape of a star and shoulder title I have had in that collection for nearly 20 years ago now, and this lock down has allowed me to blow the dust off the albums and have a look.

I include photos of it here. They make the cross of Lorraine look a bit more bright than it is. Also the lettering on the shoulder title. Interestingly the colour of the text on the shoulder title starts with a darker colour for the C and then goes a bit lighter. The border was done in that calour, so it looks as if they ran out and starter with a lighter reel. The edges to the star are bordered with a type of chain stitch, which looks to be well done. Its certainly been stitched to uniform at some point as can be seen on the obverse.

I'm in a bit of unknown territory here but if someone could give me a view on this, I'd be most grateful.

[Mike B]

I am not an expert on these insignia bit believe they are worn together - not to be confused with anything to do with No.10 (Inter-Allied) Cdo - this unit was totally independent and forms part of a morass of Free French specialist units such as Battalions de Choc. I believe raised in North Africa and participated in Operation Anvil / Dragoon.

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commandos_de_France

[cymro]

Thanks Mike. There’s an article on this unit showing the cloth being worn in a publication. I think it may have been Militaria magazines. I’ve seen it but damned if I can find it!

[NORMANDIE18]

Hi,
For me the "Commando de France" shoulder title is an original 1944 pattern. I can't be sure for the star, but if it has come with the title, it can be original.
Regards
Normandie18

[cymro]

They certainly came from an impeccable source at the time, and together. The wear is exactly the same. Do you know what the unit was at all ?

[arrestingu]

To my eye both are wrong .
This is I believe a correct version of this rare title.
Regards
Steve

[Mike B]

Cymro - I have a title that got passed as original by a very respected source, but which I believe is not. It is a heavily faked set of insignia, and I now keep out of that area as I do not have the necessary specialist expertise.

Steve - Yours looks very much better made than one I have (and sorry to say - the one you have Cymro too). That said, I have an idea some of the items in the Militaria Magazine article looked theatre made.

Yes - Cymro - I recall a series of articles about Battalions de Choc etc in Militaria Magazine - I tried to translate a few from French and found it a complex exercise.

UPDATE - I found this illustrations in my archive - taken from this forum - credit to Badjez if it was he who posted them - they are from a French Museum collection I believe.
I am Having difficulty posting multiple images - also difficulty in searching for the original posting to this forum.

[cymro]

Hi both,

Thank you very much indeed. Its interesting how subjective this can be isn't it. The example I have is clearly theatre made and and has never been in the hobby so to speak. My wife is French and the star and title came from a friend of her grandfather many years ago with other bits. So in that sense I was never in doubt as its authenticity, just the unit. I really need to dig out the Militaria Magazine in question to I can ascertain the latter...

EDIT - just seen you photo Mike. Thanks for digging that out. As I say the article I recall in MM seems to show theatre made examples more similar to mine in use. I've got it somewhere and will post when I find.

[Mike B]

A further image of some related insignia - also originally posted by Badgez I think - credit to him
Mike

[cymro]

Great images Mike/Badgez. Shows the variation in construction, and for me and my example particularly the chain stitch type construction in the lettering.

[3battalion]

Just my two cents, I like the insignia and the title construction is similar to some locally produced wings I have seen.

Good to see a thread on some unusual insignia.

Paul

[arrestingu]

....agree chain stitching is a very good sign on French theatre badges ...the more I look at them, I think my initial dismissal was incorrect , I think you are correct and they are period theatre made.
Regards steve

[castagain]

I agree with Paul — Commandos de France insignia are not my area of expertise, but the materials and construction look promising to me, as seen in other locally made variants of the area and period. Planche 64, page 71 of Baltzer and Micheletti’s book has photos of some variants, just for comparison.

Cheers,
Donovan

P.S. Full citation: Jacques Baltzer and Eric Micheletti, "Insignes et Brevets Parachutistes de l'Armee Française" (French Airborne Troops Wings and Insignia). Published by Histoire & Collections, 2001. Text in French and English. Photos not only of original insignia, but also restrikes and reproductions on the same page, very helpful for comparison.

[cymro]

Thank you very much for the constructive feedback everyone. What is the reference you quote there Donovan so that I can track it down?

[NORMANDIE18]

Hi,
Here is a link to a french forum with period pictures and different badges worn by the Commando de France :
https://1erbataillondechoc.forumacti...ance-1944-1945
Regards
Normandie18