Help identifying!

[Gregskuehn]

My grandfathers brother was with the panzer division, I was given this photo and I am curuous what this badge is. I have never seen this before can anyone shed some light on what this might be for?

[RonR]

I believe it is the badge of...........

"odznaka dywizjonu huzarów śmierci" ..........Polish Death Hussar Divisions.

A Polish Cavalry Division created in 1920 (Polish-Soviet war).

(Also believe that the badge shown here from the internet is likely a fake.)


....................

[speedytop]

Hi,

in my opinion that does not match, a Polish badge on a German uniform.

And there is no match with the cross arms, the skull and the swords.

Uwe

[Gregskuehn]

17th+don+cossack+Badge

After more research, I have come up with this possibility.
https://www.google.com/search?q=17th...iw=320&bih=460

Although I cannot find any reputable places to see a quality representation of this batch. Any further thoughts will be greatly appreciative

[Uri]

After more research, I have come up with this possibility.
https://www.google.com/search?q=17th...iw=320&bih=460

Although I cannot find any reputable places to see a quality representation of this batch. Any further thoughts will be greatly appreciative

This is the Cross of Fire (French: Croix-de-Feu) badge. The Cross of Fire (French: Croix-de-Feu) was a proto-fascist French league of the Interwar period, led by Colonel François de la Rocque (1885–1946). After it was dissolved, as were all other leagues during the Popular Front period (1936–38), de la Rocque replaced it with the Parti social français (PSF).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix-de-Feu
http://images-02.delcampe-static.net...21_001.jpg?v=1
http://image.slidesharecdn.com/lafra...?cb=1255774344

[Edelweiss]

I like digging out old theads from time to time.

Very interesting photo to say the least. Uri is right in saying that this insigna matches the one of the french organisation "Croix de Feu".
What I don't agree with is the term "proto-fascist" : it wasn't the case. The Croix de Feu was a league regrouping selected (at the beginning) WWI veterans who earned their military awards (croix) on the front line, facing the enemy fire (feu). The skull is there to remind death, omnipresent in such circumstances, and is placed over a stylised "Croix de guerre" (with its two swords) on fire.

Anyway, really amazing to see this insigna placed in such a way (especially given it's not an award) on a german uniform. It would be quite interesting to know more about the wearer.
Moreover, originally, the insigna wasn't to be worn on its own : it was sewn on a tricolor armband, that was worn on the left arm, most of the time on a civilian outfit (below an examplary from my collection, and a period photo of those armbands in wear).

[tranchant]

lvf

hello
for my opinion this man is a FRENCH soldat of the LVF (legion des volontaires Francais ) on the east front! this man put this armband badge on the uniform by fantaisie!! very interesting photo!
this armband is very common in France!
best regards
patrick

[Edelweiss]

I had that thought too, as it would be the most logical explanation. Explanation that would also put some light on the unusual tolerance about this kind of "fantaisie" (in the french meaning of that word). Reason why more info about the man in the photo would be very interesting to get.
I'd be happy to have a better scan of this picture if by chance Gregskuehn is still in the surroundings after 4+ years, and see if he could tell us more about how his grandfather obtained this photo.

[Edelweiss]

Just found a somewhat better view of the armband in wear, buried deep in my reference photos.