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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: salt on Thursday 20 May 21 11:47 BST (UK)

Title: WW2 Cap badge identification
Post by: salt on Thursday 20 May 21 11:47 BST (UK)

I'd be grateful if someone could identify the cap badges on this group of 3 unidentified WW2 soldiers.

Thanks, Salt

Title: Re: WW2 Cap badge identification
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 20 May 21 14:17 BST (UK)

A couple of suggestions:

Middlesex Regiment:
https://www.britishmilitarybadges.co.uk/products/middlesex-regiment-bronze-officers-cap-badge.html

The crown might be too large on the East Lancashire Regt GVIR badge but the shape looks similar to the ones in your photo:
https://www.mycollectors.co.uk/Image-Viewer.aspx?ProductID=1113

Suffolk Regiment looks similar too:
https://www.britishmilitarybadges.co.uk/products/ww2-suffolk-regiment-cap-badge-7.html

Title: Re: WW2 Cap badge identification
Post by: MaecW on Saturday 29 May 21 02:19 BST (UK)

I'm not sure these are British troops or, if so, that the period is WW2.
The tunics with pleated pockets and shiny buttons, the leather belts, and the thin cross-strap on the revolver holster don't look right to me for the period, not does the small "purse" (ammunition pouch?) on the belt with the revolver.
Happy to be corrected by our resident experts, but I wonder if these are pre-war uniforms, or possibly, Allied troops ? Polish comes to mind but I am not sure why !  :)

Maec

Title: Re: WW2 Cap badge identification
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 29 May 21 08:52 BST (UK)

You might be onto something there Maec.

 As an aside, I think the chap on the left looks Eastern European.  ;)

Title: Re: WW2 Cap badge identification
Post by: ShaunJ on Saturday 29 May 21 09:35 BST (UK)

I am thinking possibly Irish Army.

Title: Re: WW2 Cap badge identification
Post by: cliffkinch on Friday 04 June 21 17:16 BST (UK)

Greek maybe?

Title: Re: WW2 Cap badge identification
Post by: MaecW on Friday 04 June 21 23:21 BST (UK)

Agreed.

From Wikipedia it seems in 1908 the Greek Army adopted a new uniform, including a near-copy of the British four-pocket tunic of the time, in olive green wool cloth or serge. The previous black equipment was also replaced by a natural-brown leather set. This pattern for other ranks in khaki wool remained virtually unchanged and was the uniform issued en masse to the troops that were deployed in the Greco-Italian War of 1940 and the brief Battle of Greece.  In 1938 a new pattern of forage cap was also introduced which was similar to the contemporary British, but with the Greek royal cockade in metal.
That description seems to fit the men in the picture.

Maec

Title: Re: WW2 Cap badge identification
Post by: Viktoria on Saturday 05 June 21 14:44 BST (UK)

To me the trousers look to be black,or a very dark colour.
The seams just above the breast pockets, ?
Just something about the whole uniform seems just a tad off British.
Again willing to be corrected.
Viktoria.