Greek Sacred Squadron Badge

[Unknownsoldier]

Greek Sacred Squadron badge:





ATB,
Tom

[saumua]

very nice original badge. The pin on these is very unique as opposed to the BS ones with the german style pin.

Shaun

[Adam H]

Lovely to see, Tom.

Had my eye out for an original example for awhile now.

There are dangerous fakes of Greek Medals and Badges making the rounds rather a lot lately. Not the best-covered subject so I fear some are being caught out by the reproductions.

[Unknownsoldier]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the compliments (that was an ebay 90 quid special :-) still proud of finding that one buried ;-) ).

By BS ones do you mean these style ones (see attached):

Tom

[Adam H]

That's one of at least 2 styles I've seen around in numbers too large to make me comfortable...

There are a few ebay sellers that seem to have a limitless supply of scarce Greek badges and medals...so, do the math.

[Unknownsoldier]

I agree, it's scary, I got Peter's ok before I bid large, but it seemed no one was 100% certain, the plate for me was the decider (the one on the back), never seen a fake with a plate unlike mine.

Tom

[saumua]

Tom I have seen half a dozen genuine ones in collections including one from a WO1 in the unit. Yours is 100%. Another rare one for you all is the Rimini Brigade Pocket Badge.

[Unknownsoldier]

Wow, thats so rare I have never ever seen one, thanks for posting that :-)

A nice bit that I got with the badge was a Greek History of the unit, detailing all the members, all their raids everything, unfortunately I only have a few pages translated through a helpful friend on a Civic forum I use :-)

Tom

[saumua]

there is a nice book on the Sacred Squadron book in French that I have in my collection.

[Unknownsoldier]

Why are they always in a foreign language???? Especially one thats Greek to me :lol: :-)

Tom

[Adam H]

Nice badge, Saumua! Don't see those very often at all.

Tom, get some language courses as electives at your uni mate Something actually useful in the real world lol

[Unknownsoldier]

The only language course they do is Cantonese, I can do that already..... greta for ordering a take-away too :-)

Tom

[saumua]

What is not known about the so called Sacred Squadron badge is that it was not actually issued for any Special Forces related activity and is actually an award not a badge. It was actually awarded to all Greek Forces who served in the battle of El Alamein and was awarded to all Greek Forces there – it is issued with a certificate. Just prior to El Alamein the Greek Forces mutinied. The Sacred Squadron were attached to the NZ Divisional Cavalry for most of the campaign. The Rimini Brigade Award was issued for the battle of Rimini where the 3rd Mountain Brigade (now a SF unit) again fought with the New Zealanders – this time as part of the 6th Brigade under Brig Jim Burrows (ex All Black DSO and bar). For his activities Jim was awarded the Greek Order of Valour. Jim went on to command NZ K-Force Korea again serving with the Greeks. I have a nice rare 1st pattern Greek Korean War Badge in my collection from Jim’s effects. His son went on to be the 1st MC to 22 SAS since WW2 when NZSAS was attached in Malaya. My Rimini Award is part of a very nice medal group to a Greek who served with RAF, RASC and then Greek Mountain Brigade. It comes with UK Campaign medals and 4 Greek Awards with certificates and documentation.

[Unknownsoldier]

Extrordinarily nice grouping from the sounds of it. :-)

I also didn't know it was an award not a 'badge'.

Tom

[grip]

Hi everyone,new to this forum,but see some very familiar and welcome names here.
I have a badge exactly the same as the thread starter,down to the die marks ,just the pin hinge is fixed slightly differently.
Will add some pics later
Regards,Ivan