WWII British Combined Operations Formation Badges on e-Bay and the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPPs) - A Classic Case Study

Every time I believe I have seen everything in the way of blatantly fraudulent examples of British WWII insignia, another even more glaring item turns up. Case in point being the recent offerings of the famous Combined Operations formation badge (Eagle, Anchor and Thompson sub-machine gun (aka “Tommy gun” or machine carbine). Collecting should be fun, and the challenge limited to trying to find a given item, not the constant application of forensic science.

One of the more obscure and highly classified elite units of the British Armed Forces during WWII were the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPPs). Their primary mission was landing beach and littoral reconnaissance (also known as Assault Pilotage) ahead of Allied amphibious invasion forces. Their very existence, let alone their actual operations, was classified until 1957 under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act.

In one of only a few available photographs, is a posed picture of an officer and petty officer of a COPP in a Folbot (a collapsible kayak/canoe) clearly showing the “tombstone” configuration of the Combined Operations formation badge on their standard khaki battledress. In addition Royal Navy personnel wore the RN COMMANDO shoulder title (white lettering on curved dark blue felt stripe), and Royal Marine and Army personnel wore the COMMANDO SBS shoulder title (red lettering on curved dark blue felt stripe) and the green beret. To the best of my knowledge this is the only distinguishing insignia worn by the COPPs.

In regard to historical reference material, it not only provides you with knowledge and resultant opportunity, it also provides a form of provenance in esoteric areas substantiating the existence and authenticity of items in your collection. Some advanced collectors have probably acquired early on, now unique items, which the newer collector may suspect as being reproductions because of their rarity combined with exceptional condition. Acquire what you can afford in a reference library in the field(s) of your interest. Although infrequently, a good reference library affords you privileged knowledge on an item which is scarce, if not unique. One classic example: In James Ladd’s book, Commandos and Rangers of World War II there is a line drawing of a 1943 COPP Swimmer and his gear. Included is a very simple drawing of what is named R.G. infrared gear. The very existence of this equipment was Top Secret until March 1944. A very brief description of it’s function is found in the book’s glossary. A few years ago a small quantity of Receiver, RG (Red-Green Infrared, O.S. 960 G.A., ZA 23119, aka Type K TABBY I-F Receiver) complete with virtually new leather carrying case and Ministry of Supply acceptance label (signed and dated 27 April 1944) came onto the surplus market and eBay. In addition to their use in the invasion of North Africa and Normandy, these receivers represent “0” Generation night vision technology (1939), pre-dating the US M2 Sniperscope by four years. Without the book I would have had no knowledge of what I was looking at on the e-Bay auction site.

There is an extensive and highly professional web page, http://www.combinedops.com/index.htm authored and maintained by Geoff Slee. The research, drawings and photographs are an excellent resource to both novice and advanced collector alike.

The following example of current offerings on e-Bay, when compared with genuine original insignia, can only be classified as pathetic. It may be of interest to note that it has been offered, on multiple occasion, by the same seller who is regularly offering pairs of “war dated, WD and Broad arrow marked” Airborne Forces (Pegasus) formation badges. In 47 years of collecting I personally have never seen a British Formation badge, or for that matter any British cloth insignia, with a "Broad arrow", WD (War Department) and date marking on the underside. They must be so rare that they fall into the category collectors classify as "unobtainable"!!



Figure 1 - Several details can be immediately cited on this badge. The embroidery is not centered or correctly oriented on the blue felt  background. The details of the badge are extremely crude. Please note the slope/shape of the wings, the lack of accurate shape and detail in the gun, and the pointed triangular shape of the anchor flukes. The color of the red is off, perhaps intentionally to give the appearance of age. Note the thick thread and extensive cross-stitching on the under-side. Compare this badge with the following example. If possible download this image as well as the others in jpg format, in order to enlarge the size and clarify the resolution on the details.

Figure 1a - Another pair of Combined Operations formation badges in the "tombstone" configuration, being offered on e-Bay by the same seller. The same observations as for Figure 1 apply here, with the exception that the shape of the anchor flukes has improved.

  

Figure 2 - A genuine original WWII Combined Operations formation badge. Contrast the orientation and placement of the insignia on the background material and the brightness of the red embroidery. Note the sharpness and level of detail in the execution of all elements of the design. The anchor is derived from the standard configuration of Baldt anchor, widely in use at the time. Note the shape of the anchor flukes. The eagle replicates the design found in Royal Air Force badges of the same vintage. Note the graceful slope of the wings and the beak of the  eagle. The M1928 Thompson sub-machine gun can actually be identified. Note the Cutts compensator on the muzzle, the fore-grip, trigger group, bolt, rear sight group and the accurate shape of the stock (Courtesy of www.combinedops.com, Geoff Slee and Terry Carney).



Figure 3 - As if the insignia shown in Figure 1 isn't a sufficient insult to the collector's intelligence this example is over the top. Any similarity of this insignia to the original article is purely coincidental. I'm only being slightly facetious in claiming that this badge is the result of a faulty translation of a limited verbal description from English to Pakistani. The shape of the eagle is "unique". A particularly interesting note is the outline of the anchor shackle in the correct location, shown on the under-side, but not executed in the embroidery. I would certainly also enjoy an explanation of the anchor stock. Please don't try and offer the classic explanation that this is an extremely rare in-theatre made example.

  

Figure 4 - At least to end on a positive note, and provide another example of a righteous insignia, this badge reflects the intended end-product based upon the original approved pattern drawing. Note the consistency with Figure 2 (Courtesy of www.combinedops.com, Geoff Slee and Terry Carney).