This appears to be an older tunic for French colonial troops. It is set up to take a badge of some kind over the right pocket. Does anyone know what badge this would be?
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Hello Bill.
The badge normally worn above the right tunic/shirt pocket could well be the French paratrooper qualification badge (wings spreading from a parachute w/star on lower portion as is my recollection)
Bernhard H. Holst -
Thanks, Bernhard. However, I tried that but the para wings seem a little too big for the holes. I was told that there was a headquarters unit in africa that wore a badge with a red hand on it, and that such a badge would be appropriaete for the uniform, but I don't know if that is correct or what that badge looks like.Comment
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Hello Bill.
Is it just possible that a US Unit Citation may have been worn ? As you know they are located there if applicable. Some French regiments were so honored such as the RICM (Regiment Infanterie Colonial du Maroc which is the most decorated French regiment followed by the 3. R.E.I./Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie also awarded the US Unit Citation). Sorry if I am rehashing things you may be quite aware of and having strayed from the subject at hand.
Bernhard H. HolstComment
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Bill, I asked about these badges a little while back and never got a response:Unidentified French badges. One is similar to what you describe, although the hand is blue.
DaveComment
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Hello Bill and Dave.
I understand that the indication of some badge worn on the tunic is located above the right pocket. The apparent insignias Dave shows are regimental/other unit crests which would be worn either attached to a leather holder (similar to the Chasseur Alpin pictured) and in turn attached to the right breast pocket button. Some units condoned the wear of a previous unit crest served in
previously on the left shoulder strap to demonstrate affiliation with another unit.
B.T.W.: the french regt. in Lebanon may well have been a composite unit assembled from different available formations or individuals for deployment for a certain purpose and duration without any numbered designation. A precedent could be seen in the Regiment du Coree assembled from individuals including some members of the French Foreign Legion serving under the operational control of the "Indianhead Division" 7th US Inf.Div. I believe.
As to the winged engineer badge it may have been an airlandiong capable unit of as small as company size engimeers. Any indication where/who made it?
Bernhard H. HolstComment
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