Michael156

Great thanks for the insight and the reference to the history pieter - best to you in 2018 Sir. Respectfully, M

pieter1012, Intriguing history of medical resistance, may I find any other information or resources on these recognitions, the recipients, or the history? Thank you Sir, M.

Fantastic thread on a very interesting and rare subject. May I revive and request some expertise? Looking for some qualified competence and advice on any telltale marks or lookouts to distinguish a fake from a true, era example? Any longtime Soviet or Russian authorities out there to give us additional and blanket perspective? Thanks, M.

Gentlemen, A great string here and I hope that I can resurrect it for some further discussion... The collection of Resistance Medals from World War II is my primary interest and I have acquired a humble collection of what I think (hope) are authentic pieces representing a great effort that differed from place to place all over the world with regard to nationality, politics, terrain, and environment. If there are any further thoughts or references by any members out there I would be greatly appreciative, as well as any discussion on the veracity and contacts for collecting examples and the more rare pieces. Thanks again, M.

Dan M… Good question Sir from your November 26, 2014 post on if SF Wings could be more accurately portrayed as a unit patch/identifier - I would like, and very much wish, to ask a veteran about that. I think someone who wore it could give us the most integrity in perspective. But to one of your points I do agree, I don't believe the SF Wings replaced, added to, or were intended to be Airborne qualification badges. BUT, they may have well been qualification for some advanced training curriculum that may have evolved and was open to interpretation from time to time, place to place, and Command team to Command team. The Jedburghs, OGs, and joint units of that era being so new and unique, and with their brevity in existence and informality, I’m sure that official designations of qualification or unit patches were little considered or cared about. Personally I see them as possibly being an additional qualification insignia; although unauthorized requiring their removal from the uniform after leaving the sovereignty of that command. The variations for wear is long and wide from my personal observations of pictures and literature reinforcing the lack of regulation in their wear. I will post another picture I discovered yet again taking the SF Wings outside of the European Theater and placing them in the desert environment...all the more intriguing in scope! Please accept my apologies for being so tardy in answering your inquiry. Respectfully, M

Absolutely remarkable! Take great care of this history! M.

There is still some honor and integrity in the world. Doing the right thing won't die as long as people continue to set an example. M.

Coldstream also asked earlier about published orders citing the wear of the Special Force wing...below is the only reference I could find to date. Thanks, Michael.

There is little I can add to Clive’s exceptional synopsis of the Jedburgh program and its history, except in hopes of providing a little more context and influence. Up to World War II America, at least, had little comparable experience in modern guerilla warfare to the rest of the world. Although there were a few commando type units throughout our own history, that background paled in comparison to global experience such as with the Chinese, the Boer War, and Zapata. Unconventional warfare, and its application, was not well developed and educated to most at the time. But conditions in Europe during World War II provided the settings for successful resistance movements. Although behind the stoic British early in the war, the U.S., France and allies learned quickly and operated in combined effort to great effectiveness. Although extremely successful then, the same use of these forces under the same conditions has been rare since. The mission of the Jedburgh teams were also the catalyst for today’s Special Forces teams. Although application has changed somewhat, and today’s composition maybe more similar to the Operational Groups, the tasking for a single Operational Detachment Alpha to “train, equip, and a battalion size element” very much reflects the Jedburghs example in both influence and mission. The requirements for operations in denied areas such as language and military skill specialties to support that mission clearly mirror the Jeds in many aspects. The combined nature of the Jedburgh teams was also remarkable. Allied cooperation in teams that represented such political and national diversity was unique in a time with little confidence and understanding to what those issues meant post war. Although the teams were very effective with the proper dynamics at lower levels, national interests did come into play at all levels of influence. Another early example of how special operations can have very unique political effects. The OSS Operational Groups, or OG’s, were another element of the Office of Strategic Services task organized for special operations. Usually employed in larger numbers, they were assigned to accomplish specific missions that were often conducted in conjunction with the resistance, but not specifically organized and tasked with developing resistance. Another point worth noting is that at least some of the OSS Operational Groups wore Special Force wings as well. It is very likely that this badge was not entirely exclusive to the Jedburgh program. This fact again reinforces the understanding that ‘authentic’ SF. wings came from various sources from all over the world and with slight differences in style and make. Many assuredly came from immediate post war specialty orders as keepsakes or replacements of originals. Below are a few informative, enjoyable, but nonacademic works: Operative, Saboteurs and Spies, by Patrick O’Donnell The Jedburghs, by Will Irwin Operation Jedburgh, by Colin Beaven SOE in France, by MRD Foote - one of the most recognized, essential works Also, a few credible sites for reference: http://www.801492.org/Agents/AllJedburghs.html http://www.ossog.org/ http://www.ossreborn.com/ We hope that this thread continues and expands with much more information, international flavor, and personal insights. Thanks, Michael.

An amazing group from a very illustrious career. The history and the service are immeasurable. I highly suspect that you and your family are extremely proud and honored. I hope that your grandchildren will enjoy these for generations. I second the recommendation on writing an article to honor him. Michael.

Valter, Thank you for the recommendation. I have been able to secure three good examples due to your assistance. Very interesting and rare thread here - thanks to all for the information and contribution. M.

Gentlemen, I was doing a little more research recently and stumbled upon a note on Les Hughes website on OSS insignia, it notes a book to be published soon: Insignia and Uniforms of the Office of Strategic Services 1942-1945 by Troy Sacquety and Les Hughes Knowing at least Troy, I have no doubt it will be of fine quality. It may be the most authoritative reference on the subject. Here's the website for your own interest... http://www.insigne.org/sf_wing-I.htm Best to all, look forward to any more discussion or examples anyone can contribute. Michael.

Clive, My deep appreciation for joining this stream and for your knowledge! I think I may have even read your work or browsed this site in the past. I have a couple of exceptional articles on the Wings by Les Hughes published some years ago but I have yet to find them. I did know a little about CPT Gough and the background of the wings, but the 'Sans Femmes' history provides some great insight and typical military humor. Did not know some of the connectivity with the Poles and had not even heard of Force 136 yet...leaves some good research ahead. I do very much enjoy the European history of the OSS and SOE, and have a friend who attends the OSS convention/reunion every year but sadly for the past few years my work schedule has precluded my hope to go. Again, very much appreciate the insight and site reference. Would you please consider continuing to participate and possibly posting the others SF Wing examples you have for others to reference. I personally would also hope to continue discussion of the OSS/SOE in some way. THANK YOU and take care, Michael.

Last one for today...

Again...