Info on North African Command Patch?

[Government Issue]

Image Source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/227667526/vintage-ww2-wwii-north-africa-theater

 

 

Hi all!

 

I'm looking for information regarding the north african theatre command patch. The patch has the arabic influenced cut red boarder with the blue star atop a white field. I'm curious to know if this was an actual unit and who wore the insignia. I've been looking for information online and it has been sparse. Maybe I've been looking in the wrong places. It's been a bit of an odd duck in a wild goose chase.

 

What was the purpose of the organization that the patch was affiliated toward? I've looked for photos of it being worn and have turned up none. A site I came across described that Ike set up the unit to oversee the north african theatre in early 43 and that it's sphere of command then blanketed the mediterranean theater once the italian campaign was ongoing. Is this correct? Here's a link: http://www.militaryitems.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=268_591_333&products_id=30520

 

Thanks!

[Teamski]

The unit was activated in 1943 as NATOUSA (North African Theater of Operations) to run the North African Campaign and was also in overall command for the Sicily and Italian invasions until they moved north. It was equivalent to the ETO Command. You can find some more info here:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Theater_of_Operations

 

-Ski

[patches]

Here you go, this explains it pretty good, note this operative section at the beginning of the dialog.

 

"The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army (MTOUSA), originally called the North African Theater of Operations (NATOUSA)" What that means is that it was a patch first worn by troops assigned to the HQ or units (IE Support Units) that fell under the direct command of the North African Theater of Operations, and contiuned to be worn by the same when this unit became the MTOUSA, and right up and past VE-Day.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Theater_of_Operations

 

 

 

And a couple of topics were patch is worn.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/19883-my-new-north-africa-theater5th-army-ike/

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/292154-wwii-army-uniform-set-north-african-theaterasf-training-center/

[patches]

AHhh You beat me Ski, but I got those two links before you HaaaaAhha.

[patches]

And one big talk showing it's use in the immediate post war occupation period in Italia.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/160559-painted-wwii-5th-army-101st-503rd-mp-bn-helmet-liner/

[tredhed2]

Ah yes, a brigadier general, lost in a fog, surrounded by red tape in the shape of a moorish window.

 

It was essentially a logistical command.

[Government Issue]

Thank you very much Ski, patches, and tred! It's very much appreciated!

[memphis_belle]

On 8/7/2017 at 6:02 AM, patches said:

And a couple of topics were patch is worn.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/19883-my-new-north-africa-theater5th-army-ike/

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/292154-wwii-army-uniform-set-north-african-theaterasf-training-center/

 

Hi, I know this is an old topic but I'm trying to understand why the North African Campaign patch is always on the left shoulder, even if the unit later moved to Italy and was assigned to the 5th Army, for example. Shouldn't the old unit's patch be moved to the right shoulder and you current one be places on your left shoulder? It's really confusing because I've seen numerous ike jackets and service jacket patched like this. Thank you.

[tredhed2]

Because many GIs failed to follow regulations.