OSS Jedburgh Wing for review

[zad82nd]

Backside.

 

Thanks

 

Jim

[zad82nd]

Backside.

[pfrost]

There are a fair number of threads that discuss these wings. My feeling is that it isn't a good one. But I could be wrong. Sorry

 

This is a thread where a wing very similar to yours is shown:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/268482-soe-oss-jedburgh-jump-wings-collection/?hl=%2Bjedburgh+%2Bwing&do=findComment&comment=2159864

[zad82nd]

Thanks, I agree.

 

v/r

 

Jim

[Allan H.]

I would tell you to stay away. These are not original.

 

Allan

[doyler]

I would tell you to stay away. These are not original.

 

Allan

 

 

I would agree

 

They seem to have a Pakistani look to them

[zad82nd]

Thanks Gents!!

 

v/r

 

Jim

[Kadet]

I agree that these are not original. Also, to clear up a misnomer about these wings in general; they represented assignment to the Special Force Headquarters (SFHQ). SFHQ was a combined special operations unit organized in England primarily to support Operation Overlord. It comprised several different organizations and programs, to include the Jedburghs and Operational Groups (OGs). The Jeds were typically three man teams consisting of two "operators" and a radio man. One of the operators was typically French. The Jeds were specifically commissioned to train and support resistance forces. The OGs were larger, more heavily armed and were tasked to conduct what today would be called Direct Action missions, although they also worked in coordination with resistance forces. Both Jed and OGs were inserted in to France prior to D-day to create as much hate and discontent as possible. SFHQ also deployed liaison units to each of the Armies involved in overlord in order to coordinate and deconflict things after the landings. The OSS provided the US manning for SFHQ in England, and OSS personnel served in Jed, OG units and in the Army LNO units. The SF wings were meant to be a sort of unit insignia. They were not jump wings, nor were they worn only by the Jeds or OSS personnel.

[zad82nd]

I agree that these are not original. Also, to clear up a misnomer about these wings in general; they represented assignment to the Special Force Headquarters (SFHQ). SFHQ was a combined special operations unit organized in England primarily to support Operation Overlord. It comprised several different organizations and programs, to include the Jedburghs and Operational Groups (OGs). The Jeds were typically three man teams consisting of two "operators" and a radio man. One of the operators was typically French. The Jeds were specifically commissioned to train and support resistance forces. The OGs were larger, more heavily armed and were tasked to conduct what today would be called Direct Action missions, although they also worked in coordination with resistance forces. Both Jed and OGs were inserted in to France prior to D-day to create as much hate and discontent as possible. SFHQ also deployed liaison units to each of the Armies involved in overlord in order to coordinate and deconflict things after the landings. The OSS provided the US manning for SFHQ in England, and OSS personnel served in Jed, OG units and in the Army LNO units. The SF wings were meant to be a sort of unit insignia. They were not jump wings, nor were they worn only by the Jeds or OSS personnel.

 

Kadet,

 

Thanks for taking the time to pen the info!!!

 

v/r

 

James

[Force136]

You must also take into account the fact that the old ME65 Milton Hall CO Musgrave was specifically sent to India to start a Far East Jed school. I know many of you yanks have a problem with this because it is not contained in any of your published histories nor is it ever mentioned by ex US Jeds however it is true. They likely had no clue because the men to train were largely French, British and Canadian with many being ex SOE "F" Section. There are files on this in the UK archives and Musgraves SOE personnel file talks about it in depth. They were to operate in Burma and Indochina as Jed's. The reason I state this is because this opens up India as another possible site of origin for authentic SF wings. One photo I have of a Canadian "F" Section / Burma Jed shows him wearing an Indian made SF wing along with an Indian Para wing on his chest. The Americans were likely not aware because the original recruiting was to send teams in Indochina which the US would not have been happy with. This never occurred because the Japanese took complete control from the Vichy French. Anyway, so be careful what you dismiss as there was really only one "issue" type SFHQ wing. Every photo I have of a Canadian, they are wearing a differently manufactured badge. But as one poster said, better safe than sorry. In the end, if there is no provenance or you cant match it exactly with one in a photo, your better off staying away.

[Tonomachi]

You must also take into account the fact that the old ME65 Milton Hall CO Musgrave was specifically sent to India to start a Far East Jed school. I know many of you yanks have a problem with this because it is not contained in any of your published histories nor is it ever mentioned by ex US Jeds however it is true. They likely had no clue because the men to train were largely French, British and Canadian with many being ex SOE "F" Section. There are files on this in the UK archives and Musgraves SOE personnel file talks about it in depth. They were to operate in Burma and Indochina as Jed's. The reason I state this is because this opens up India as another possible site of origin for authentic SF wings. One photo I have of a Canadian "F" Section / Burma Jed shows him wearing an Indian made SF wing along with an Indian Para wing on his chest. The Americans were likely not aware because the original recruiting was to send teams in Indochina which the US would not have been happy with. This never occurred because the Japanese took complete control from the Vichy French. Anyway, so be careful what you dismiss as there was really only one "issue" type SFHQ wing. Every photo I have of a Canadian, they are wearing a differently manufactured badge. But as one poster said, better safe than sorry. In the end, if there is no provenance or you cant match it exactly with one in a photo, your better off staying away.

There are just so many fakes of these wings with steep asking prices that it is sometimes safer to stay with the more known common examples. I believe I have photographs of the wings you are referring to shown below. Would you mind sharing the photograph you have of the Indian made SF wing being worn?