unknown airborne patch question

[snake36bravo]

This is a scan from Yank Magazine Sept 1 Vol 3 No. 11 featuring a story on 1st Sgt. Manuel Serrano who spent 10 or 20 months depending on which caption is correct fighting alongside Italian Partisans after escaping from a POW camp.

 

My question relates to the shoulder patch he is wearing. Not being worn on the correct shoulder I am wondering if this might be a censorship job on a flipped photograph or has any other Airborne collector seen something like this? Note there is no Airborne tab. Unit isn't identified in the article.

 

Thanks.

[snake36bravo]

Here's a better scan of just the patch.

[Sabrejet]

Looks like it might be a large embroidered jumpwing from that angle...though I've never seen such a patch worn in that position!

 

Sabrejet :think:

[snake36bravo]

I'm hoping someone has an Italian made example out there.

 

I agree with you. Looks like large shoulder patch size airborne wings on some color and type of background. I'm just hoping for an ID.

 

:thumbsup:

[X_redcatcher]

It is 100% on the right sleeve,,his hat is on the right way hhmmmmmm...

[2Dogs]

Airborne wings are worn on the left and his are on the right pocket flap.

[Teamski]

It is 100% on the right sleeve,,his hat is on the right way hhmmmmmm...

 

 

In addition, the flap on his jacket is left over right, so the photo is correct.

 

-Ski

[patchguy]

Almost looks like a Winged Boot insignia to me.

[Patchcollector]

Maybe some kind of Italian rank equivalent insignia?

[glenm]

He was in the 509th Parachute Infantry by the way.

 

Cheers,

Glen.

[J_Andrews]

It may be a version of the Winged Boot emblem usually associated with USAAF/RAF, awarded for escaping/evading from behind enemy lines -- walking out. And, in escaping captivity and serving with the partisans, he seems to have done that.