A nice and difficult to find all ranks white “P” on a black background Phantom arm badge

This is a neat example of a scarce and difficult to find all ranks white “P” on a black background Phantom arm badge. Phantom’s origins can be traced back to November 1939, when Lieutenant-Col George Frederick ‘Hoppy’ Hopkinson was sent as a Military Observer to the No 3 British Air Mission in Belgium. There, he pioneered new methods of reconnaissance operations which utilised small mobile patrols using wireless communications, to provide radically improved reconnaissance in real time from the front line. The collective codename for these Missions was ‘Phantom’ and this became the codename for the newly formd regiment. They were based at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, London and consisted of 150 officers and 1,250 other ranks.They carefully recruited men with various specialised skill-sets; linguists, drivers and mechanics, from a diverse range of units. Recruits undertook rigorous training in many fields of expertise including wireless communication and cipher to enable them to develop their unique brand of reconnaissance.

During the Battle of Arnhem a group of 5 men under command of Lieutenant N.A.Hey whas attached to Divisional HeadQuarters. They were flew in by glider including a jeep with trailer and a motorcycle. All ranks wore a badge with a white “P” on a black background on the right upper arm of their battledress uniform. This example is in a perfect removed from uniform condition. A hard to find badge which will do good in any Special Forces badge collection.

Code: 50653