Guest Rick Research Posted July 2, 2007 Posted July 2, 2007 OK, I haven't got a clue. But a seagull suggests naval aviation to me, and "33" is obviously the unit number. A friend showed me this at yesterday's militaria show-- IS it French? IS it a beret badge?The general shape looks like some Foreign Legion insignia I've seen, but with a unit number this high?...
Paul L Murphy Posted July 2, 2007 Posted July 2, 2007 It is a French unit badge, as worn on the tunic pocket, and definitely not Foreign Legion. The shape is similar to Saharan badges but I am not familiar with this particular one.
Guest Rick Research Posted July 3, 2007 Posted July 3, 2007 Thanks Paul. I didn't think it could be, from the number, but the only insignia I've seen with this strange fat inverted crucifix-ish shape (what the heck is it supposed to BE? ) were L.E. It's slightly curved so I thought to fit on a beret.
Chris Boonzaier Posted July 3, 2007 Posted July 3, 2007 I agree, somewhat "Saharan" but nothing Legion.
Paul L Murphy Posted July 4, 2007 Posted July 4, 2007 I found it It is illustrated in "Insignes de l'Armee Francaise, Les Sahariens" by Jean-Francois Boucher which is the standard reference work for Saharan badges. It is shown on plate 28 (insignia 8) and is described as being a unit badge of the Section de Sapeurs Telegraphistes du 33 Genie, ie. the Signal Section of the 33rd Engineering Regiment. A footnote, however, says that this description is given with reserve since it is controversial and unconfirmed. In short, even the expert didn't know but that is the best guess that we have. It appears to be quite a rare badge since it was not in the large Saharan collection that was sold via Lavocat in France in 2003 (that collection had almost everything in it but not this one).
Guest Rick Research Posted July 4, 2007 Posted July 4, 2007 I think it came home with a U.S. veteran who found the French collaborationist armband (posted in Fascism In Europe section) in Holland at war's end. Will have to double check. Beaucoups thanks!!!!!
Paul L Murphy Posted July 4, 2007 Posted July 4, 2007 Glad to help. It is normally me who is picking your brains on German stuff so anything that helps redress the balance is welcome
Guest Rick Research Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 Epson scanned when it came by to visit today along with a plethora of other local goodies:
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