Original Items: Only One Group of 5 Available. The First Allied Airborne Army was an Allied formation formed on 2 August 1944 by the order of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force. The formation was part of the Allied Expeditionary Force and controlled all Allied airborne forces in Western Europe from August 1944 to May 1945. These included the U.S. IX Troop Carrier Command, the U.S. XVIII Airborne Corps, which controlled the 17th, 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and a number of independent airborne units, all British airborne forces including the 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions plus the Polish 1st Parachute Brigade.

From the time of its creation until the end of World War II, the formation commanded the Allied airborne forces that participated in the Allied advance through North-West Europe, including Operation Market-Garden in September 1944, repelling the German counter-offensive launched during the Battle of the Bulge between December 1944 and January 1945, and Operation Varsity in March 1945. The formation was then officially deactivated on 20 May 1945, with the British units under its command returning to the United Kingdom and the American units being renamed as First Airborne Army and taking over command of the American Sector of Occupation in Berlin.

This wonderful grouping features the following items:

• x2 1st Allied Airborne Distinctive Unit Insignia: The pins are identical except for the shade of blue used on the shield backgrounds. The enamel work on both are retained very nicely, as well as the original finish.
• Parachutist Badge “Jump Wings”: The original Army Parachutist Badge was designed in 1941 by Captain (later Lieutenant General) William P. Yarborough and approved by the Department of War in March of that year. The Parachutist Badge replaced the "Parachutist Patch" which had previously been worn as a large patch on the side of a paratrooper's garrison cap.
• Airborne Infantry Parachute Cap Patch: This is a beautiful, original example of the US Army Airborne Infantry Parachute Cap Patch, worn on the overseas caps of all parachute-borne US Airborne Infantry troopers, until it was replaced by the “Paraglide” combined parachute/glider patch in August, 1944. This pattern, with an embroidered parachute on a blue backing, is regarded as an early type.
• Airborne Glider Command Patch: The original Airborne Command shoulder sleeve insignia was adopted by the command on March 22, 1943. The command was charged with the training of US paratrooper and glider forces during WWII. After the command was re-designated to the Airborne Center, the addition of the “Airborne” tab was adopted to the insignia.

These are all lovely examples of the famed Soldier of the Sky during WWII. All come ready for display!