RASC air despatch airborne strip

[Luc]

I managed to add an RASC air despatch airborne strip to my collection, shrouded in mistery like the others.

It is shown in Jon Mills' BoB, but not in Lock's Airborne Insignia book.

[Phill Lockett]

Hi Luc

I dont have an an answer regarding the Air Despatcher Arm of Service strip but could they have worn the standard AOS instead?

cheers

Phill

[Fatboy Ken]

Hello guys,

I am fully aware of this badge, worn by Air Despatcher during WW2. It was after the battle of Arnhem that the Dakota was awarded to the unit for their heroics in continuing to despatch their loads while under fire, even when their aircraft were going down.

Image from the IWM (Imperial War Museum)

Ken (The Fatboy)

Screenshot_20240104_173933_Chrome.jpg

[Luc]

Hi Phill, my impression is that they wore the standard yellow/blue AoS strip during the war indeed.

There are pictures that show the Dakota badge being worn shortly after the war together with the AD wings, but none of the other badges.

Ken, thanks for sharing the IWM picture. I had seen it before, the printed AD strip is on my "probably never going to find one" wants list.

[Phill Lockett]

Thanks Luc

Certainly an interesting history of the Formation sign.

Note there was no image attached to your post.

cheers

Phill