Irish

Thank You Bernhard for that information. I would assume they put themselves in great danger the farther they went into the hinterlands. Was the SAS multi functional? Meaning did they have various occupational specialties within the organization. Medical, Agricultural, Local Administration, Education, as they reached out into these villages. Or were they mainly a military organization. Thanks John

Here is a group of insignia belonging to someone from the French Special Administration Section during the Algerian War 1955-1962 approx. To my understanding this organization would be similar to the U.S. Civil Affairs? Can anyone expund more on the duties and function of this unit, The Colonial Medal ribbon has the Tunisie and Indochine bars while WW2 Comemorative carries the Afrique bar. many thanks.

Here is an interesting and colorful piece of Taiwanese embroidery. The imagery is great as well as the colors. This would have been made in the late 70's to 80's. Do not have a translation on this but it likely spells out the duty and honor of this unit. Does anyone have any additional information on these amphibious recon units from the Republic of China, These guys must be real tough hombres.

Good point, this is very true, the need to bring the USA in on the side of Great Britain was always forefront in Churchill's mind. There were strong anti-interventionist (isolationist) groups in the USA prior to Dec 7, as well groups sympathetic to the Germans. Roosevelt had begun to covertly and overtly supply & support GB who at the darkest hour was hanging on by their fingernails and shear tenacity. He circumvented public opinion as well as elected members of the government because he knew it was the right thing to do.

Well the filter of time has made it seem somewhat questionable. However the original intent of preventing this fleet from becoming part of the Axis Navy is still valid. I have just completed the book "A Man Called Intrepid" which is the biogrphy of WW2 British Intell master Wm Stephenson, it touches on the topic but not in any great length. Naval power in the Mediterrenaen was already in favor of the Axis powers and the possible addition of the French Fleet could have easily swung this full into Axis hands. The need to keep the Suez canal open and to interdict German and Italian supplies to North Africa was of great strategic importance for Great Britain as well as the Allies.

thanks Veteran, a nice analogy. One medal on the way in and the other on the way out. John

Very nice photos, the clarity and detail is quite good. thank you for posting

I hate to reply to my own post but upon more looking I have determined that the N.African Medal w/ bars is for service in the 1950's era.

Can someone tell me the difference in issuance for these medals. Both indicate Maroc service. Are they contemporary to one another ? The N African commemorative medal indicates service beyond Morroco. Both are Lemaire types. thanks for any help John

Veteran, Thank You so much for taking the time to look at these clasps. I had put them away years ago and had recently gotten them out after viewing this thread. I have heard of the book to which you refer and I will try and locate a copy for my reference use. I have always found French Colonial history and militaria fascinating. again thanks for the help. Best John

Reverse. The maker logo appears on the reverse of the campaign bar on the gripper type clip

Here is another Colonial Medal with Algerie bar. I have sketched the maker logo which appears on the reverse of the campaign bar. Included with the reverse photo. there is also a mark that looks like an oak leaf below this logo. The bottom rim of the Medal is stamped Argent with the oak leaf mark on either side. Can anyone tell me the time period of use for this Colonial Medal and bar. thanks John

I am posting a collection of Campaign bars and looking for opinions. I purchased these a number of years ago from a fellow that had served overseas in the 1950's. He said he purchased these bars from different shops in France that were still carrying them. They are attached to lengths of Colonial Medal Ribbons for display purposes. What I would like to know is are they original. How long after some of these campaigns could the bars still be purchased. I guess a better question would be are they contemporary to the campaigns, issued in a close proximity of time to the campaigns.

Can any of our members ID this genetleman and the type of uniform he is wearing. Is this Diplomatic or Military? Many thanks John

Here are a pair of NATO related badges. 1st is the Naval Forces Central Command. I would place this badge period of use as late 1940's early 50's. Made by Drago Rue de Romaineville. The acronym Nav Cent is normaly associated with U.S Naval Forces Central Command, however I am thinking this may have a wider usage due to its NATO link. The second piece is the Allied Air Forces Central Europe HQ. I would place this in the mid 1970's when the command was moved to Ramstein Air Base, in then West Germany. It is French made by Arthus Bertrand Paris. Anyone who has more detailed info on these commands please let us know. Thank You John

I had not thought of Lao but the center emblem might suggest that. Thanks for the input. Hopefully some other members can weigh in. Best John

Air Siam

Reverse

Here is a group of Thai aviation wings. Military and Commercial. These were part of a larger collection I purchased earlier this year. The top 2 are military, Pilot and Navigator. The center 3 are commercial. Thai Airways are the gold and silver wings and an Air Siam, better photo below. The bottom wing I am unsure what it is for. any help? You just cannot beat Thai handmade quality, excellent workmanship. I would venture the military wings are 1960's -70's. Thai Airways 70's 80's and possibly to current. Air Siam 1960's. the bottom unknown wing has the French/ Viet straight pins for attachement.

Laurence thank you for your input and photos. Please drop in any other rememberances from your time in Yugoslavia. I had not seen any of these insignia before. good stuff, Best John

Les, Thanks again for your help in indentifying my Police badges. I will post more Police items soon. Best John

Jonas, thank you for those patches with descriptions. I was unsure of the makeup of Nordbatt 2 your description helps. Best John

Other side. Also badges for the 8th RPIMA. The first two would be from the 2nd/3rd Mandate. the third badge is from the 9th mandate in 1982. Last badge is for the Signals Unit of the the 8thRPIMA unsure of time period but my quess is late 1970's. This is a local Lebanese made piece as is the first badge.

Here is a fanion for the French 8th Para Marine Regiment, Service and Command Company (CCS). This would be U.N. Service in Lebanon late 1970's and early 80's. Likely a souvenier piece.

Thanks Les, I looked closer and you are correct that is a chute, I had not noticed it before. thanks for the help. FYI... I started another thread for UN Militaria Non-Police in the modern conflicts area. best John