Special Forces Virtual Gallery
Featured here are some highlights and harder to find pieces of cloth insignia from our personal 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 setup in Bari Italy. This forward operating base (FOB) was under the Cairo headquarters to control operations in the Balkans and Northern Italy. 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 SOE component was known as "Force 133" (later changed to Force 266, reserving Force 133 for operations run from the Cairo HQ).
The insignia was reportedly worn by British & American troops assigned to the headquarters per Lt. Col. Howard Cole, who identified the insignia in 1946. Cole states this insignia was also worn by the Allied Liaison HQ Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia.
The insignia were produced in embroidered & printed examples that originated from either Cairo Egypt or Bari Italy.
Exhibits in this gallery are original examples of this RARE insignia depicting a blue Phoenix emerging from red flames (the embroidered example appears to have been produced in Cairo Egypt and the printed example was produced in Bari Italy).
British Military Mission (BMM) to Greece, 1942 - 44
The insignia has a SOE & OSS connection, these special forces groups conducting clandestine operations in Greece wore this insignia on the right pocket as identification to locals as being a friendly force.
Exhibit in the gallery is a 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 setup in Bari Italy. This forward operating base (FOB) was under the Cairo headquarters to control operations in the Balkans and Northern Italy. 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 SOE component was known as "Force 133" (later changed to Force 266, reserving Force 133 for operations run from the Cairo HQ).
The insignia was reportedly worn by British & American troops assigned to the headquarters per Lt. Col. Howard Cole, who identified the insignia in 1946. Cole states this insignia was also worn by the Allied Liaison HQ Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia.
The insignia were produced in embroidered & printed examples that originated from either Cairo Egypt or Bari Italy.
Exhibits in this gallery are original examples of this RARE insignia depicting a blue Phoenix emerging from red flames (the embroidered example appears to have been produced in Cairo Egypt and the printed example was produced in Bari Italy).
British Military Mission (BMM) to Greece, 1942 - 44
The insignia has a SOE & OSS connection, these special forces groups conducting clandestine operations in Greece wore this insignia on the right pocket as identification to locals as being a friendly force.
Exhibit in the gallery is a 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 insignia was worn by Headquarters staff of Admiral Louis Mountbatten, the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia. SEAC was in overall charge of all Allied Strategic Operations in the South East Asia Theatre. This style badge has a association with the India Mission GS I(k) better known as * Force 136 * and OSS Detachment Groups which co-operated closely with the SEAC Exhibit in the gallery is a original example of this RARE insignia, depicting a blue Phoenix emerging from red flames (The badge is said to signify the Allied might rising from the ashes of the Japanese occupied territories). 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 & Chinese National Solider on the right shoulder with a locally made Parachutist badge and Force 136 Malaya cap insignia. The other members have a interesting mixture of insignia 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 & India under the command of Major General Orde Wingate, D.S.O. 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
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 on February 1942 by Lord Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Operations Command. Exhibits in this gallery are variations of British C.O. insignia from the World War II era including some variants made for the U.S. Army Engineer Special Brigades. |
British Commandos 'Special Operations'
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Background History
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 Cdo 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 newly formed Commando battalions were created. Five Special Service Battalions were created with 2 Commando units forming a battalion. Exhibits in this gallery are Army, Navy & Royal Marine Commando shoulder titles from the World War II era. |
Commando Brigades Dagger 'The Successor'
Background History
Awarded to Commandos and other Special Forces that completed the Commando course at No 1 Combined Training Centre (CTC) in Scotland. Commando Brigades were the natural successor to Combined Operations which 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 insignia features a Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting / Commando knife, this design was officially approved in 1944 as the Successor to the Combined Operations badge.
The insignia was worn by Royal Marine and Unattached Army Commandos, with use of the insignia starting in later stages of the war (late 1944 - 45). It's been well documented Royal Marine, No. 1 & No. 5 Commandos wore the badge in the Far East Theatre of Operations.
Exhibits in this gallery shows three variations of Commando Brigades insignia from the World War II era.
Awarded to Commandos and other Special Forces that completed the Commando course at No 1 Combined Training Centre (CTC) in Scotland. Commando Brigades were the natural successor to Combined Operations which 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 insignia features a Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting / Commando knife, this design was officially approved in 1944 as the Successor to the Combined Operations badge.
The insignia was worn by Royal Marine and Unattached Army Commandos, with use of the insignia starting in later stages of the war (late 1944 - 45). It's been well documented Royal Marine, No. 1 & No. 5 Commandos wore the badge in the Far East Theatre of Operations.
Exhibits in this gallery shows three variations of Commando Brigades insignia from the World War II era.
