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~ COMBINED OPERATIONS
INSIGNIA SPECIMENS ~
There are over 50 images of Combined Operations Insignia from the early 1940s to
the present day including some from overseas. Lieut D A Grant,
who suggested the design, could not have known how its use would spread around the
world and how it would endure over the decades to the present day.
[These images should not be used to validate or
otherwise the authenticity of any specimens that may come into your hands.]
~ WW2 ~
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1 |
Unknown. |
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2 |
This is the yellow embroidered wartime 'economy' Combined Ops badge on blue felt. The 'Royal Navy' white embroidered
title on dark blue
felt battledress was worn above the Combined Operations sign (Yellow silk
thread was authorised as an
economy, instead of gold wire during WW2.) |
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3 |
This is an army badge as yet unidentified,
embroidered yellow on dark blue. Likely to be the same as 22 below. |
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4 |
A variation of (3) gold wire embroidered on
black felt. |
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5 |
This is a Royal Navy badge - blue on white felt. It is a
printed item and was used on white uniforms. See No 31 below. |
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6 |
This is a locally made variation of the
Combined Operations badge on felt worn below a 'British Pacific Fleet'
shoulder title silver wired on the same material. |
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7 |
This is an Army badge - a variation of the normal Combined Operations
badge and worn during WW2. They were issued in pairs and worn on the
right arm. |
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8 |
This is a variation of No 7 but possibly worn by Commandos in the early
period. Worn on left arm. |
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9 |
This badge was worn by No 9 Commando guard of honour when part of No 2
Commando Brigade HQ in the Mediterranean Theatre in 1945. The No 9
Commando title was red lettering on dark blue above the Combined
Operations badge which was the original red embroidered on a dark blue
circle. |
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10 |
This badge was worn by Commando units. |
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11 |
Matching pair (with 12). |
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12 |
 Matching pair (with 11). |
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13 |
A Royal Navy yellow on dark blue Combined Operations badge which was
worn below a white embroidered Royal Navy Commando title on dark blue. |
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14 |
Similar to 13 above but may have been worn in the immediate post war period. |
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15 |
The SBS (Special Boat Section) was, by the nature of their dangerous and
clandestine operations, often behind enemy lines, a secretive
organisation. Even to this day precise details of their activities are
hard to come by. This image was provided by Tom Colville whose late
father was in the SBS. |
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16 |
Unknown variant. |
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17 |
I am currently (2005) serving with 6 Assault Sqn RM onboard HMS
Albion as an LCU Mk10 Coxn and although we do not officially wear
the insignia the ship does. We wear it on t-shirts, rugby shirts, rugby
club tie etc. We are very proud to carry on the traditions of the
Combined Ops ethos into the 21st century. (Photo and
information provided by Sgt Tom Clow RM). |
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18 |
This Canadian design was created in
consultation with the Dieppe Veterans and Prisoner of War Association to
recognise those who participated in the Dieppe Raid on August 19 1942... to
be worn on a blue blazer. |
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19 |
The
prestigious combined Operations Insignia as worn by the Commandos and others in WW2. They were positioned on the upper arm with the
gun barrels pointing forward. When displayed, as here, the barrels pointed towards each other. These particular insignia saw
"active service" off the Normandy beaches on the arms of an RCAF
LAC on board the radar and communications vessel FDT 217. |
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20 |
USA variant of the British badge. An article on the American Army
Engineering Amphibian Units mentions that the shoulder patch worn by
members was approved on June 17th 1942. This patch, embroidered in
yellow on a light blue background, was worn at the top of the left arm
only. |
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21 |
USA variant of the British badge. The American Naval Amphibious forces
shoulder insignia is embroidered on a scarlet background of the same
colour as the scarlet chevrons of a rating badge. The badge was approved
by the Secretary of the Navy in BUPERS Circ LTR-44 on June 15th 1944. It
was worn at the top of the left arm only. The authorisation to wear the
insignia terminated with the individuals detachment from the Amphibious
Forces. |
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22 |
A badge worn by some, if not all, of the 125 Jogoslav speaking Americans
of 3 Contingent US Operational Group (USOG) under Land Forces Adriatic (LFA)
command. This was a locally manufactured version of the British Combined
Operations formation sign. It was accompanied by a matching shoulder
title embroidered yellow on black (see below). This insignia was very short-lived
since 3 Contingent USOG became Company C 2671 Special Reconnaissance
Battalion in August 1944. Click on shoulder title to enlarge |
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23 |
A facing pair of hand made WW2 Combined Ops badges.
There is a little moth damage to one of them. (Photo and
information courtesy of Colin Allmark, USA). |
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24 |
This USA Combined Operations patch is similar to No 21 above but this
time it was worn by Albert Casani of the US 326th
Glider Infantry. |
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25 |
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26 |
An
original American version. I thought it was faded but behind the
backing it was the same colour. (Photo and information
courtesy of Colin Allmark, USA).
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27 |
Gold thread anchor, gold wire thread Tommy
gun with brass cast eagle secured by folding pins on black cloth. This
is the third one I have seen now so its not a "one off " made by and
individual but probably part of a production run.
Is this an official issue? If you know anything about this
patch please contact us. (Photo and information
courtesy of Michael Whittaker).
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28 |
Locally made example of the Combined
Operations patch believed produced in Yugoslavia 1943 - 45.
(Photo and information courtesy of Michael Whittaker). |
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29 |
Gold wire on black as worn on the British naval square rig top (No.1
or no.2 dress?) This particular patch was worn by a member of the
Combined Ops Bombardment Units who was parachuted in with the airborne
units the night before D-Day. (Photo and information
courtesy of Michael Whittaker).
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30 |
It was not unknown for badges to be made locally in remote
locations overseas. The history of this rather crude hand-made example
is unknown but most likely falls into that category.
(Photo courtesy of Michael Whittaker.) |
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31 |
Hand embroidered onto blue cloth then stitched around a cardboard template.
(Photo courtesy of Michael Whittaker.) |
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32 |
An official issue example, blue design on white cloth as worn by
Royal Navy service personnel. See No 5 above. (Photo courtesy of Michael
Whittaker.)
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33 |
This badge, together with the Stars and Stripes of the USA (displayed
under no 34), was worn by RAF Servicing Commando Unit 3201 when part of
Operation Torch near Algiers in North Africa. The American flag (about 3
inches by 5 inches) was worn by British forces to appease the French.
The combined ops badge is about 2 and a half inches in diameter. For
more information about Operation Torch
click here. |
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34 |
See 33 above |
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35 |
This Combined Operations ring most likely belonged to James Rafter who
is 88 years old (4/08). He was a Royal Marine who served on the King
George V, the Malta convoys, the Iron Duke and in Burma. He also
undertook commando and beachhead scouting work in the Pacific.
[Photo and information Courtesy of Harman Meyerhoff].
Was this made to order especially for RM Rafter? Are there
others? |
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36 |
Printed
on cloth rather than embroidered, this badge is believed to have been
worn by a WW2 RAF servicemen. It is approx 2 5/8" in diameter.
[Photo and information courtesy of John McIntosh]. |
 ~ Post WW2 and Modern Badges ~
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37 |
The Combined Operations device comprised of the
anchor, tommy gun and eagle was used by Canadian forces during WW2. In 1998
use of the device was revived with the development of a Canadian amphibious
warfare establishment badge by Naval Lieutenant Karl Gagnon, a noted
military heraldry designer, of a design by Major R.D. Bradfiord, the
Canadian Armed Forces' amphibious warfare officer. This insignia remains in
the approval process and is still in use. |
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38 |
In 2005, the basic device was adopted as an
expedient, temporary logo for the new Standing Contingency
Task Force (SCTF), a rapid-response, seaborne, sea-based tri-Service
formation. It was intended that this be superseded by a new badge, but
the retention of the Combined Operations device for the specialist
amphibious elements was intended. |
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39 |
In 2006, the officer commanding the Amphibious Reconnaissance &
Clearance Squadron, Lieutenant-Commander D. Hopkie, arranged for the
acquisition and issue of temporary badges for the Maritime Amphibious
Unit (MAU) a new unit comprised of reconnaissance, clearance, landing
craft and naval beach party elements. This patch entered service
unofficially in 2006 and remained in use until the unexpected
disbandment of the new force and the Maritime Amphibious Unit in 2007.
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40 |
Thought to be used by RAF helicopter crewman serving
Iraq. Any information about this badge would be very
welcome. (See Contact Us at the bottom of this page).
Images provided by Glynn Roberts a member of the Military Heraldry
Society. |
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41 |
As for 40 above. |
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42 |
Commander, United Kingdom Amphibious Forces. May be worn by Royal
Marines and possibly other forces. Any information about this badge would be very
welcome. (See Contact Us at the bottom of this page).
Images provided by Glynn Roberts a member of the Military
Heraldry Society. |
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43 |
Badge used by the United Kingdom Permanent Joint Headquarters, known as
PJHQ, based in Northwood. It is UK's senior operation military
command, responsible for all the joint contingency operations outside UK's
shores. The staff of the HQ have a strong affinity with their Combined
Operations forbears and wear the same badge with pride. [ Image
provided by Glynn Roberts, a member of the Military Heraldry Society and
the information provided by John McIntosh].
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44 |
UK JFAC(HQ) badge introduced on 1 Apr 2006 in its triangular format in
order to differentiate it from the JTFHQ and other force elements, who
had adopted the Combined Arms centre elements and a green outer/base
replacing only the text, hence all looking remarkably similar. It replaced the circular
badge numbered 25 above. (AK) |
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45 |
The Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces (COMUKAMPHIBFOR) is the
very high readiness deployable 2 Royal Marines HQ embedded within the
Fleet Battlestaffs. COMUKAMPHIBFOR is a permanently constituted 2 HQ
held at very high readiness to command joint and combined operations at
the operational level. It is commanded by a Royal Marine Major General,
and located in the Fleet Battlestaff buildings on Whale Island in
Portsmouth. Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces (COMUKMARFOR),
commanded by a Royal Navy Rear Admiral, is co-located. Collectively
COMUKMARFOR, COMUKAMPHIBFOR, COMATG, COMUKTG and HQ 3 Cdo Bde RM
comprise the "Fleet Battlestaffs". (9/06)
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46 |
This shoulder patch is currently (May 05) used by the UK Joint Force Air
Component Headquarters, based at High Wycombe. The JFACHQ was formed in Apr
2000, adopting a variation of the Combined Operations badge as already used
by the deployable Joint Force Headquarters at Northwood. Since formation,
the JFACHQ has deployed on operations including PALLISER (Sierra Leone),
ORACLE/VERITAS (Afghanistan) and TELIC (Iraq). A new patch, more
recognisable as unique from the JFHQ, is under development however, although
it will retain the Combined Operations badge as its centrepiece. See 33
below. [N.D.] |
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47 |
This modern badge was for the Commodore
Amphibious Warfare. The title was changed on December 1 1997 to Commodore
Amphibious Task Group (COMATG) in recognition of the growing importance of
amphibious warfare. The group comprises several assault and Royal
Fleet Auxiliary vessels. |
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48 |
The recent commissioning of HMNZS CANTERBURY
(LSL-421) has allowed us to use the Combined Operations symbol as the
basis of the ship's unofficial badge (as opposed to official crest) and
as a headmark for the development of a future ad hoc capability. In
addition, in recognition for the ship’s mission, the motto is
Kotahitanga which means
Unity. [HMNZS
Canterbury on U-Tube]. |
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49 |
Logo of the United Kingdom Permanent Joint Headquarters, known as
PJHQ, based in Northwood. It is the UK's senior operation military
command, responsible for all the joint contingency operations outside UK
shores. For more information click on the link. See also No 43. |
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50 |
Buckle of a Joint Operations stable belt, showing the three single service
colours and a buckle with the Combined Ops badge. This particular belt pre-dates PJHQ
(see 43 above) since I
received mine when working in the JHQ, High Wycombe, established for the
1990 - 91 Gulf War. [Image and information provided by
John McIntosh].
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51 |
The 1990/91 Gulf War Medal showing the Combined Ops badge with an SA80
rifle replacing the Thompson sub-machine gun. The colours at the edge of
the medal ribbon, bordering the desert yellow, are those of the three
Services. [Image and information provided by John
McIntosh].
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52 |
Belt buckle from the Senior Non Commissioned Officer in Charge of HF / TX
HMS Bushrincon J.C.U.F.I (Joint Communications Unit Falkland
Islands Dec 88 - Apr 89. [Photo and information courtesy of
Michael Whittaker]. |
 ~
Other Associated Insignia ~
|
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The
colour of the uniforms of the three Canadian services was identical to their British counterparts. The "Canada" flash opposite
was worn by all Canadian personnel to readily distinguish their country of origin whose services they represented. Two flashes were
worn - one on each shoulder. The
accompanying propeller, in this particular combination, signified a Leading Air Craftsman (LAC) serving in the R.A.F. and was worn just
above the elbow on both arms. |
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This
flash has its origin in the mythology of the Gods. One stormy day Thor grabbed a handful of lightening bolts from the sky and the
symbolism of this was applied initially to "wireless" personnel known affectionately as "sparks." The symbol was
later adopted by the R.A.F. to denote wireless, radio and radar operators and technicians. Those involved in top secret radar were not
separately identified for reasons of security. |
~ Correspondence
~
Enjoyed your site greatly. Have had this
beret for a while now. It looks like a combined forces badge but has parachute
on top where the eagle usually is. Can anyone help me identify it? Ted.
I enjoyed reading your web site and I found
the design of the insignia very interesting. The combined Operations insignia
bears a striking similarity to the Chinese character (Opposite), which means
coincidentally, to strike, attack, or hit. I wonder if the designer of
the insignia, and the ancient Chinese who designed that ideograph, went thru
similar thought process when looking for a symbol to represent strike or attack,
and came up with similar designs. Bo (1/06)
I believe that Combined Ops flashes were round and not square [this
changed in the 1970's] - certainly in 148 Commando Forward Observation Battery.
This was the only regular unit of the British Army to wear the combined ops
flashes until the more recent exponential integration of different arms. I
recently saw a 'Crab Air' officer in the Gulf theatre wearing them!
BENZENIA@telefonica.net
(12/03)
The RN cap tally below, and a similar "COMBINED OPS" one may have been
approved by the naval authorities or were they unofficial? Either way does
anyone know if they were worn? A photo of the tally in use would be very helpful.
If you can shed any light on this please contact us (link at bottom of this
page). Many thanks. (10/04)
~ Further Reading
~
On this website read about the
design and development
of the Combined Operations Insignia and
Insignia in Use
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There are over 200 books listed on our 'Combined
Operations Books' page which can be purchased on-line
via the Advanced Book Exchange (ABE) search banner which
checks the shelves of thousands of book shops world-wide. Type
in or copy and paste the title of your choice or use the
keyword box for book suggestions. There's no obligation
to buy, no registration and no passwords. Just click on
the book icon opposite to take you to the ABE banner. |
~
Acknowledgments ~
We are especially indebted to The Military
Heraldry Society for most of the images of WW2 Combined Operations cloth
insignia which are displayed on this page. The Society is a gathering of collections of
cloth formation signs i.e. shoulder & sleeve insignia, shoulder titles,
regimental and unit flashes and similar items.
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