3 Contingent Operational Group Greece

[irish]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Excuse me asking - but can anyone identify the 'button' in the cap in the first image. I am guessing it could be a US enlisted man collar button (sometimes worn in cap)
Regards
Mike

PS - It would appear logical to post the thread here given strong links with 2 SS Bde etc.

That is correct it is an enlisted U.S. collar brass worn on the side cap. Sgt Pulos was initially trained as a Radio operator.
Thanks
Jack

[Mike B]

Big Tom Churchill had crossed over from Italy to Vis on 1 March 1944, shortly before being joined by his HQ 2 SS Bde.

No.2 Cdo under command of Lt Col 'Mad' Jack Churchill (Tom's brother) had arrived a month and a half earlier. The Vis garrison included a number of units - two teams of American Operational Groups are noted.

The obituary of Lt Col John Daniel is interesting - my research suggests 111 Fld Reg RA was under command of Lt Col J. Elliott at the time of arriving on Vis (by 4 May 1944). Some of his guns participated in actions on Brac as noted. There is an interesting account that in operations against Korcula "This German gun-position had been carefully reconnoitred previously by an officer of 111th Field Regiment, who disguised himself as a girl, had [sic] wandered close to the battery position with a number of Yugoslavs, taking careful note of its exact position."

I hope this is helpful
Mike

[popskipa]

A very interesting thread, thank you for the posts.

Attached an image of the 3 Contingen O.G title and Cops patch which are illustrated in Some Talk of Private Armies, also a 3 Contingent title.

Does anyone know the relevance of the colours red or yellow please? Companies maybe?

Keith

[Mike B]

Keith
Interesting items - I have never seen or heard of a red on black title for 3 Contingent OG before.
Reference is made to two US units on Vis - could the title etc vary in colour for each? - quite doubtful.
It may be the red on black was made to match the Standard Combined Ops badge - but this is just unsupported supposition on my part.
It is noticeable that all insignia I have ever seen was quite crude and locally made
Mike

[irish]

From what I have read the 3 OG not having a formation sign of their own appropriated the British Combined Ops badge that was admired and being worn by their British counterparts.

3 Contingent was subdivided into 8 separate operational groups ranging in size from 20 to 30 men. Sgt Pulos was in Group 6.

Here are several additional items belonging to Sgt Pulos. An invasion arm band and two small compass. One looks as though it could have been concealed in a button while the other is a 2 piece design that was designed to be sewn down as a button.

[irish]

Additional Pics. the band photo was one of the few that had a notation on back, in this case " Vis Yugoslavia May 1, 1944, Scottish Band"

[irish]

Sgt Pulos in his M42 jump jacket sporting his earned para wings. It is my understanding that most members of the group received training at a British run jump school in southern Italy. I have seen the name but it escapes me at the moment.