Recce Photo ID - 3rd Division?

Discussion in 'Recce' started by Paul Reed, Sep 8, 2009.

  1. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I recently bought a small collection of photos of men in a Recce Regiment, taken at the end of the war ?in Germany. They are all group shots taken in front of the same building, shown in the photo below.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    This is about the best shot showing their battle insignia - does anyone agree it looks like 3rd Division?

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    That only looks like one black triangle though rather than the two black and inverted red one. I assume the three triangle insignia was being used during WW2 rather than post war.

    What about the chap front row, far left as you look at the picture?

    Andy
     
  4. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I agree, it does look like one black triangle, but b/w images can often make it appear like that, and I can't think of another division in NW Europe that had a triangle as a flash?

    I have a couple of more I will post once I've uploaded them.
     
  5. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Ok, a couple of more close ups.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

  7. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    There is also a black square worn. This could indicate the 6th Armoured Division, The Mailed Fist.

    All Recce were later intergrated into the RAC, hence the black beret.

    Recce sometimes had a habit of wearing several badges, possibly to confuse the enemy:D and us!

    I think that one of the officers has a Roger Moore Look out him.


    Regards
    Tom
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    What regiment did 3 Recce have it's origins in?
    I wonder if that black square is a clue?
     
  9. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Owen,

    They came originally from 8th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Different badge as I found out:(.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  10. idler

    idler GeneralList

    [​IMG]

    Granted, it could be my eyes or a moire but has that black square got a 'V' in it? RNF were formerly the 5th Foot and wore a 'V' badge (see Marie - Villers Bocage p44 bottom left). I think that's a very big clue.
     
  11. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Granted, it could be my eyes or a moire but has that black square got a 'V' in it? RNF were formerly the 5th Foot and wore a 'V' badge (see Marie - Villers Bocage p44 bottom left). I think that's a very big clue.

    You could be on to something there! I will see if I can get a better image of the lower patch.
     
  12. idler

    idler GeneralList

    I ruled out 59 Div as it did not survive Normandy. Their 'coalpile' badge might appear to be triangular, though I think it was on a square backing.
    Also, in the source quoted, the 'V' is in red. If red is coming out dark (panchromatic instead of orthochromatic film?) that might explain why there is no obvious red triangle in the div patch.
     
  13. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    I ruled out 59 Div as it did not survive Normandy. Their 'coalpile' badge might appear to be triangular, though I think it was on a square backing.

    Correct.
    I have been looking at Recce Regiments locations and I tend to go along with Paul thinking it is the 3rd Recce Regt.


    Regards
    Tom
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I'm now wondering if that '3 Div' badge is now a Square stood on it's apex ie like a diamond.
     
  15. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Some more views of the flashes.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    It does look like 3 Recce.

    Cheers
    Paul
     

    Attached Files:

    Bob Smith and Paul Reed like this.
  17. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Oooo well done Mitch :)
     
  18. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    It does look like 3 Recce.

    Cheers
    Paul

    Thanks Paul - that's great.
     
  19. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Well done Paul,

    I couldn't find a photo showing the square badge with a V.

    Great effort.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  20. SPERO56

    SPERO56 Member

    Great detective work guys! Great picture too. Anyone have any pics of 4 Recce??
    Spero
     

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