{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-german-occupation-made-2nd-armored-division-hell-on-wheels-bullion-shoulder-patch","title":"Original U.S. WWII German Occupation-Made 2nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels” Bullion Shoulder Patch","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive original \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. WWII 2nd Armored Division shoulder patch of German occupation manufacture\u003c\/strong\u003e, constructed on a wool base with extensive bullion embroidery. The patch measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e2 ¾ x 3 ¾”\u003c\/strong\u003e and features bullion work to the border, tank treads, cannon, lightning bolt, and central numeral \u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e. Although the patch shows noticeable wear and moth damage, occupation-made bullion insignia of this type are far less common than standard U.S.-manufactured embroidered examples and remain highly desirable to collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2nd Armored Division\u003c\/strong\u003e, famously nicknamed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Hell on Wheels”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewas one of the best known American armored formations of WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActivated in 1940, the division played an important role in the rapid development of U.S. armored warfare before America entered the conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring WWII, the 2nd Armored Division saw extensive combat service in:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNorth Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSicily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBelgium\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ethe Netherlands\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermany\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe division participated in the Allied campaign across northwest Europe and earned a formidable reputation as one of the U.S. Army’s premier armored formations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the Normandy landings, the division fought through France and Belgium and later into Germany, where it remained as part of the American occupation force after the end of hostilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat occupation period is particularly relevant to this insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican servicemen stationed in Germany after the war often had patches, badges, and other insignia made locally by German tailors and embroidery shops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese pieces frequently differed significantly from standard factory produced U.S. insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey could feature:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehand embroidery\u003cbr\u003ebullion wire\u003cbr\u003ehigher quality fabrics\u003cbr\u003eunusual backing materials\u003cbr\u003elocal tailoring techniques\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch occupation-made patches were often intended for wear on dress uniforms rather than combat clothing, giving them a more elaborate and decorative appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is a particularly appealing bullion interpretation of the standard 2nd Armored Division insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe basic design retains the familiar triangular armored division form with the traditional symbols of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003etank treads\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ecannon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elightning bolt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese elements represented mobility, firepower, and shock action, the core principles of armored warfare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe central division number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eis also rendered in bullion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe border is likewise finished in bullion embroidery, giving the patch considerably more visual presence than a standard machine embroidered example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe base material is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ewool\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand the overall construction is fully consistent with locally made European occupation period insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe patch shows genuine age and wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is moth damage along the edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis has caused part of the bullion border to become loose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wool base also shows general wear consistent with age and storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite this damage, the primary design elements remain intact and clearly visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bullion still provides a strong contrast against the wool background, and the patch retains excellent display character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2nd Armored Division’s wartime reputation gives this insignia additional significance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe division fought from the Mediterranean through northwest Europe and became closely associated with some of the most important campaigns of the European Theater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the war, its continued presence in occupied Germany created the environment in which locally made insignia like this could be produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the collector, that makes the patch more than simply a division insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt represents the transition from wartime combat service into the occupation of defeated Germany and reflects the distinctive local manufacturing traditions that developed around American forces stationed there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its \u003cstrong\u003eGerman occupation manufacture, bullion border, bullion treads, cannon, lightning bolt and numeral 2, wool construction, and strong 2nd Armored Division association\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a very appealing example despite the moth damage and loose edging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt would make an excellent addition to a \u003cstrong\u003e2nd Armored Division, “Hell on Wheels,” U.S. armored forces, German occupation-made insignia, bullion patch, or broader WWII American militaria collection\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44850168430661,"sku":"ONSV26PCS214","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS214__01.jpg?v=1775142658","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-german-occupation-made-2nd-armored-division-hell-on-wheels-bullion-shoulder-patch","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}