Special Forces Virtual Gallery
Featured here are some highlights and harder to find pieces of cloth insignia from our collection, so please enjoy!
British Military HQ in the Balkans & British Military Mission to Greece 'Clandestine Operations'
Background History
British Military Headquarters in the Balkans
Following the invasion of Italy, the joint British - U.S. Headquarters was established in Brindisi near Naples in 1943 and later was set up in Bari, Italy. This forward operating base (FOB) was under the Cairo headquarters to control Balkans and Northern Italy operations. The headquarters was responsible for coordinating SOE, OSS, and other special forces operations in the Balkans. These special operations groups reported directly to the HQ Balkans. The British Special Operations Executive component was Force 133 (later changed to Force 266, reserving Force 133 for operations run from the Cairo HQ).
Insignia was reportedly worn by British and American troops assigned to this headquarters per Lt. Col. Howard Cole identified the insignia in 1946. Cole states the Allied Liaison HQ Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia also wore the badge.
The embroidered and printed examples originated from either Cairo or Bari.
Exhibits in the gallery are original examples of this RARE insignia depicting a blue Phoenix emerging from red flames (the embroidered version made in Egypt and the printed version made in Italy).
British Military Mission (BMM) to Greece, 1942 - 44
This badge has an SOE and OSS connection; these special forces groups conducting covert operations in Greece wore the insignia on their battle dress pocket to identify locals as a friendly force.
The exhibit in the gallery is an original example of this SCARCE insignia. Hand embroidered gold crowned blue and white flag shield (Greek flag with a crown).
British Military Headquarters in the Balkans
Following the invasion of Italy, the joint British - U.S. Headquarters was established in Brindisi near Naples in 1943 and later was set up in Bari, Italy. This forward operating base (FOB) was under the Cairo headquarters to control Balkans and Northern Italy operations. The headquarters was responsible for coordinating SOE, OSS, and other special forces operations in the Balkans. These special operations groups reported directly to the HQ Balkans. The British Special Operations Executive component was Force 133 (later changed to Force 266, reserving Force 133 for operations run from the Cairo HQ).
Insignia was reportedly worn by British and American troops assigned to this headquarters per Lt. Col. Howard Cole identified the insignia in 1946. Cole states the Allied Liaison HQ Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia also wore the badge.
The embroidered and printed examples originated from either Cairo or Bari.
Exhibits in the gallery are original examples of this RARE insignia depicting a blue Phoenix emerging from red flames (the embroidered version made in Egypt and the printed version made in Italy).
British Military Mission (BMM) to Greece, 1942 - 44
This badge has an SOE and OSS connection; these special forces groups conducting covert operations in Greece wore the insignia on their battle dress pocket to identify locals as a friendly force.
The exhibit in the gallery is an original example of this SCARCE insignia. Hand embroidered gold crowned blue and white flag shield (Greek flag with a crown).
Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia 'Covert organizations - far east'
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Background History
South East Asia Command, 1943 - 46 The badge was worn by the Headquarters staff of Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia. SEAC was in overall charge of all Allied Strategic Operations in the South East Asia Theatre. This design insignia is associated with the India Mission GS I(k), better known as Force 136 and OSS Detachment Groups co-operated closely with the SEAC. Exhibit in the gallery is an original example of this RARE insignia, depicting a blue Phoenix emerging from red flames (The badge signifies the Allied power rising from the ashes of the Japanese occupied territories). An example is a Locally made hand embroidered insignia facing right. Gallery image is Chinese Canadians recruited by SOE Force 136 for special operations in Japanese-held territories. The bottom row left side shows the SEAC badge worn by Ted Wong and Chinese National Solider on the right shoulder with a locally made Parachutist badge and Force 136 Malaya cap insignia. The other members have a mixture of brevets such as Canadian Airborne and British Parachutist qualification badges. Image is Courtesy of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum in Vancouver, B.C. |
3rd Indian Infantry Division 'The Chindits'
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Background History
Chindits were British India Special Forces that served in Burma and India, under the command of Major General Orde Wingate D.S.O. Unit became famous for airborne operations and long-range penetration behind Japanese lines. Exhibits in this gallery are original examples of the famous Chindits insignia depicting a Chinthe (the Burmese consider this mythical creature the guardian of Burmese pagodas). |
Combined Operations 'Badge of the Commandos'
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Background History
The badge was awarded to Commandos, OSS, SOE, and other Special Forces that completed the Commando course at No 1 Combined Training Centre (CTC) in Scotland. Combined Operations was the predecessor to Joint Forces Operations that included members from all branches of the British military. Commandos served in every theatre of operations from Europe to the Far East during World War II. Designed by Lieutenant Douglas A. Grant, RNVR in 1942 and officially approved in February 1942 by Lord Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Operations Command. Exhibits in this gallery are variations of British Combined Operations insignia from the World War II era, including variants made for the U.S. Army Engineer Special Brigades. |
British Commandos 'Special Operations'
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Background History
The shoulder title was awarded to Commandos that completed the Commando course at No 1 Combined Training Centre (CTC) in Scotland. Commando units had members from all branches of the British military, including Allied Troops from Armies in Exile. Commandos served in every theatre of operations from Europe to the Far East during World War II. The exploits of Commandos are legendary; these commando operations would pave the way for modern special forces forming the core principles of SOPs and Tactics special operations would use to conduct missions. Most Commando units didn't wear a shoulder title until 1941 when the Special Service (SS) Brigades were disbanded and created newly formed Commando battalions. Five Special Service Battalions with two Commando units forming a battalion. The gallery is Army, Navy, and Royal Marine Commando shoulder titles from the World War II era. |
Commando Brigades Dagger 'The Successor'
Background History
The badge was awarded to Commandos and other Special Forces that completed the Commando course at the Combined Training Centre (CTC) in Scotland. Commando Brigades were the natural Successor to Combined Operations that included members from all branches of the British military. Commandos served in every theatre of operations from Europe to the Far East during World War II.
The emblem features the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Commando knife, officially approved in 1944 as the Successor to the Combined Operations badge.
Royal Marine and Unattached Army Commandos wore the badge, with use starting in later stages of the war (late 1944/45). Royal Marines, No. 1 and No. 5 Commandos in the Far East Theatre of Operations wore the badge.
Exhibits in this gallery show three variations of Commando Brigades insignia from the World War II era.
The badge was awarded to Commandos and other Special Forces that completed the Commando course at the Combined Training Centre (CTC) in Scotland. Commando Brigades were the natural Successor to Combined Operations that included members from all branches of the British military. Commandos served in every theatre of operations from Europe to the Far East during World War II.
The emblem features the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Commando knife, officially approved in 1944 as the Successor to the Combined Operations badge.
Royal Marine and Unattached Army Commandos wore the badge, with use starting in later stages of the war (late 1944/45). Royal Marines, No. 1 and No. 5 Commandos in the Far East Theatre of Operations wore the badge.
Exhibits in this gallery show three variations of Commando Brigades insignia from the World War II era.
