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.
This is about the best shot showing their battle insignia - does anyone agree it looks like 3rd Division?
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
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.
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 and us! I think that one of the officers has a Roger Moore Look out him. Regards Tom
Owen, They came originally from 8th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Different badge as I found out. Regards Tom
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.
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.
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.
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