Jump to content

WW2 Allied Forces in Norway Patch ... on a U.S. Uniform


bryang
 Share

Recommended Posts

I was fortunate enough to have stopped at a random estate sale in Nashville three years ago, just as the were preparing to shut down for good.  I got hold of several WW2 uniforms very inexpensively.

 

This uniform had me stumped, however.  I bought it for $15 and took it home to try and figure out just the hell the square patch was on the left arm.  The patch on the right is American Civil Affairs in Europe.

 

Also I wasn't sure what the dark blue bit of ribbon was affixed directly to this American Major's jacket. I had originally thought that perhaps this bit of dark blue ribbon might be a post-war reunion thing.

 

I subsequently discovered that the viking ship patch was for British forces in Norway.  A British patch on an American officer's jacket.

 

At the end of the Second World War, the Allies sent an occupation force to Norway to enforce the German surrender, and manage things until Norway's government was back and running again.  The British deployed a Parachute Brigade, a Brigade of Norwegians, and a composite American regiment.  This jacket was worn by a Major Hagen, who was assigned to this task force.

 

The dark blue ribbon is for the Norwegian Liberation Medal.

 

So here it is:  An American uniform with a British patch.

 

 

 

20171028_171950.jpg

20171028_172003 - Copy.jpg

20171028_172009.jpg

20171028_172219.jpg

20171028_172104.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice piece.  The Brits would wear the  patch in pairs.. left and right sleeve.  Had not seen the ribbon before.  I believe the collar brass is for unassigned personnel. Looks as though he went to Austria following Norway.... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, irish said:

Nice piece.  The Brits would wear the  patch in pairs.. left and right sleeve.  Had not seen the ribbon before.  I believe the collar brass is for unassigned personnel. Looks as though he went to Austria following Norway.... 

 

The right shoulder patch is similar to the United States Forces Austria (USFA) patch used by Austrian Occupation Forces but it does not have the leaf branch.  Here are some examples of the USFA patch.

 

 

Austrian Constabulary.JPG

Austrian Occ bevo patch.JPG

Austrian Occ patch silver border Vienna.JPG

Austrian Occupation - Italy patch.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The patch on the right sleeve is European Civil Affairs (CAD), it appears to be English made silk patch.

 

Some of the Force 134 British components were 1st Airborne, 1st SAS Bde, Norwegian Indep Coy 1, Norwegian Indep Para Coy, 50th Northumbrian Div, 304th Indep Inf Bde, 88 Group RAF and other support units. 
 

CDub

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
  • 9 months later...

Branch Immaterial Device, Unassigned to Branch (since 1992 Command Sergeant Major Collar Insignia).

Source: Col. Foster - "The Decorations, Medals and Insignia of the US Army WW II to Present"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
On 12/8/2021 at 12:33 PM, Proud Kraut said:

The June 1943 issue of the National Geographic Magazine lists it as " Officer not Member of Arm or Service (Specialists´Reserve)"

Interesting.   

That sounds to me much like the British General Services cap badge.  From what I understand, this indicated the officer has not been assigned to a specific regiment or command. 

2016297584_GeneralServicesbadge.JPG.2fd78069ab6239e71000b6d590e9dc70.JPG

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...