Free French Air Force (F.F.A.L.) pilot's wing badge - large

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c. 1940

Overview

Post-1940 Second World War period 'Free French Air Force' pilot's wing badge. It is made from gilded brass and enamel, and bears the 'Cross of Lorraine' on a central shield in red on a pale blue background. This is set within a larger shield with diagonal red, white and dark blue bands of enamel.
There are large gilt wings on either side of the shield and a star above the centre between the wings. Below the shield is a V shaped title "F.A.F.L." (Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres) written in blue on the gilt background.
The reverse is impressed with the official issue number "11093" and has a metal pin and catch for fastening. There are no maker's marks.
There is also a smaller version of this badge in the collection.

Historical information

The Free French Air Forces (Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres, F.A.F.L.) were the air arm of the Free French Forces during the Second World War from 1940. They officially ceased to hold this title from 1943, with the merger of Free French Forces with General Giraud's anti-German forces, but were still commonly known by the title until the liberation of France in 1944, when they became the regular French Air Army.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00268

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2

Material

Brass

Enamels