Those Greek... "Indian pattern" wings
In this short article, we are going to show gathered photographic evidence of the use of the so-called “SOE” wings by the Greek parachute trained personnel during and after WW2. A certain reaction accompanies each reference to them as such in the militaria forums, and right so: “These are parachute qualification wings, not specific to the SOE”. Existing evidence shows that different formations, both Commonwealth and of other Allied countries used them in the Middle East, North Africa, Italy and the Balkans, although many details regarding the place of their manufacture, their issue and the timeframe of their use are still a gray area and a subject of research. In the case of the Greek para trained men and women, though, the “SOE” characterization does cover one of the very few cases: The one of the Sacred Band and the one of SOE (Force 133), indeed.
Until now, I have seen three patterns of wings in use during WW2 and the immediate post war years. The SAS style one, the one referred to as “SOE”, with the distinctively arched light blue wings on a dark blue background and a gold bullion version of the latter. Of course, not surprisingly, documentation through period uniform regulations has not surfaced yet.
The “SOE” ones seem to have been worn by both Sacred Band men and Force 133 agents.
The “SOE” ones seem to have been worn by both Sacred Band men and Force 133 agents.
The four following photos show the use of this pattern from two well-known Greek SOE agents: Themis Marinos and Sonia-Sofia Stefanidou. The uniform of the latter, as well as a pair of gold bullion wings of hers, can be seen in the War Museum of Athens.
Shortly after the founding of the Parachutists Training School in March 12, 1955, the Royal Decree of August 27 of the same year, published in the Official Government Gazette Issue No 239 of August 31, 1955, regulated the design of the new parachute qualification badge, which was similar to the one worn today. A separate paragraph regulated the issue of the new pattern to the “old Paratroopers, trained in the Middle East or the U.S.”. After a week's training and three jumps, they were to be awarded the new “decorations and badges instead of the ones borne until now, so as to achieve a standardized appearance”.