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#1
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French SAS uniform
I just have found a few posts on the forum concerning Free French / French SAS.
So, I will present you a few insignias worn by them. I do not need to say that even in France, it is very difficult to find them. About 15 years ago, I have bought in the Poitiers Militaria Fair a US uniform with undoubtly genuine SAS wings. Hopefully, the seller who had bought it to the family kept the name: BERES. I have quickly made researches: Raymond BERES was a warrant officer in the 4th SAS Regiment. he personally jumped in june 1944 in Brittany on the well known St Marcel camp (operation DINGSON). The SAS and Free French paratroop wings of this jacket are british made, but the US uniform was certainly worn in late 1944 / 1945, when BERES was working as an interpreter in a US depot in Bordeaux. I do not have any photo of him, but I have one of Maurice SAUVE, another man of the 4th SAS, who wears the same jacket during his wedding in 1945: |
#2
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In the wedding photograph, what is the metal (?) badge worn on the pocket below the SAS wings and medal ribbons? French Air Force? Mike
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#3
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Hello Mike,
It is the general badge for the Free French Air Force (FAFL).. Best regards .. Herve |
#4
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Other Free French SAS wings:
From aspirant Pierre ROUX (3rd Coy 3rd SAS): From Raoul LOICHOT (3rd Coy 3rd SAS): Near La Rochelle, september - october 1944: R. LOICHOT left, P. ROUX right: Very rare shoulder pad from Aimé LLOPIS (3rd Coy 3rd SAS): Bullion Free French wings: on top, I think British made (Lylliwhite?). Underneath, I think French made (former property of Aimé LLOPIS): |
#5
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A british made French Air Infantry insignia, only worn by the SAS (exist also on kaki):
Free French titles: Top one: british made. Center: french "point de chainette". Bullion: british made? Other ones, both British made. Little ones are from Pierre ROUX (3rd Coy 3rd SAS). Brass model (Britis or North Africa made?): Hope you enjoy... |
#6
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Hi Mike,
Concerning the metal Free French Air Force insignia, here are four models: The "stamped" one (top left) is from North Africa, the three others are british made: |
#7
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Many thanks for sharing images of these superb items. Always good to see items with provenance.
Mike |
#8
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Pianiste
Great items again. I think the French Air Infantry insignia has a picture of the back only - your holiday snap is interesting - but may be you meant to put a picture of the front? Pianiste or ANYONE Does anyone know who wore the small printed FRANCE titles which Pianiste includes here please? (Printed White on Khaki serif letters) Thanks Mike |
#9
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Sorry, I don't understand for the photo because the insignia appeared on my computer... I event don't who is this guy!!!
I use tynipic and it doesn't seem to work very well. I wanted to put another photo of the shoulder pad, but impossible to do it: it was always a photo of a cat which appeared. Again not a photo from mine!!! I am a bit afraid by internet... |
#10
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Try again...
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#11
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Concerning the printerd France Title, it can have been worn by any Free French Soldiers in kaki uniform, probably from the beginning of 1944: SAS, Jedburgh, Army (2nd Armoured Division....)...
I am absolutely sure that some men of the 3rd SAS Rgt get this kind of title (I have seen it from SAS HOURDEBAIGT and HALABI souvenirs). |
#12
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#13
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Merci Thomas for the website adress from author and historian David Portier.
I post a nice portrait of Pierre ROUX (stick leader of 3rd Coy 3rd SAS, Dickens and Amherst operations)) who was a close friend of mine, and from whom I get many souvenirs. On this photo taken in 1945, he clearly wears the Free French Air Corps (FAFL) metal insignia on his BD pocket: |
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