Greek ww2 Wing Commander tunic

[stray_dog]

Hi all!

I would like to share the latest update to my collection! A Greek Royal Air Force 1935-ww2 era tunic with Wing Commander rank insignia. Although I am not much into air force items, I couldn't resist to this piece, as it's pretty scarce.

Having a look at the ribbon bar, the officer was not highly decorated for his rank. All of his awards are of the Venizelist and Republic periods, so maybe this man was out of the force for some time due to the political purges of these times in the military and later called back to service during the dictatorship of I. Metaxas, in the timeframe of the reorganization of the air force. No ww2 awards are present, since the men of the air force were not eligible for war medals at the early stages of the conflict, as they were to recieve newly instituted ones that would be unique for this branch. The Occupation stopped this process and the air force medals were instituted in early 1945.

Regards, Giorgos

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Ribbon bar with Order of Phoenix Silver Cross, Military Merit Medal (3rd, 2nd or 1st class, device is unfortunately missing) and ww1 Victory Medal.

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Buttons are made in G. Britain. Officers' buttons of the period were made for some reason in G. Britain and Germany.

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...and a little surprise in the left breast pocket. The pin is holding an amulet containing "holy cross wood", according to the orthodox tradition.

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[Gene]

Wow, what a beautiful tunic! Greek stuff is sorely lacking on the WAF so this is great to see. Do you know anything about the guy it belonged to? Any way to trace it back? If you have any other WW2 Greek AF items I'd love to see (not to mention own) them.

[stray_dog]

Wow, what a beautiful tunic! Greek stuff is sorely lacking on the WAF so this is great to see. Do you know anything about the guy it belonged to? Any way to trace it back? If you have any other WW2 Greek AF items I'd love to see (not to mention own) them.

The tunic is unfortunately not named... I asked the seller if he had any info about the officer and the answer was again unfortunately negative. Not many men would hold this rank though, since the RHAF of this period was quite a small force, so a research in officers' records could give some results. I 'll make an effort towards this direction and I wish that my requests on info will be received by cooperative people...

It is actually my only AF piece, since I am more attracted by army items. This was a "deviation", as I think it is a pretty special piece of history, so I would regret letting it pass!

Regards, Giorgos