"Question on US flag patches on WWII uniforms" Topic

Can anyone tell me how common was it for a U.S. infantryman to have a U.S. flag on their jacket sleeve, and which arm they would have it on? I bought some waterslide transfer decals for my 20-millimetre project and want to get the placing right. I have the impression that wearing the flag like this wasn't very common, but I think they will look great so I'm doing it.

They were worn by airborne troops.

link

I'm only aware of them being worn by the infantry in Operation Torch. The national colors were on the left shoulder with the blue field's edge forward like a real flag should be. I think Airborne troops kept wearing them for Normandy. Not sure about Sicily or Italy.

I have read 'yes' to Sicily. I have not seen anything about Italy.

I also think that they didn't wear it for very long after the jump.

when you say flag "patches" be aware that what was worn was not a "patch" per say. They may 'oilcloth' flag armbands that were used in Torch. But these were cumbersome, so some, mainly the paratroops cut the flag out of the armband, and sewed that on. There were a flew flag variations used- some being cheap printed cotton flags (like you would wave at a parade) or thin cheese cloth ones. But not embroidered ones as seen today. In short, unless you're doing the Armband seen in the Med, "a flag" is only going to be seen on some paratroopers- not on anyone else.

Keep in mind the reason for the flag armbands in Torch were because no one expected Americans there, and they hoped the French would not fight. Afterwards, they were used by paratroops as they were jumping behind the lines where no one would expect US troops to be. At a time when lots of different uniforms were being worn, it was a way to show locals that – yes, the Americans have arrived. (and that they were not just some weird Czech mountain troops, or Latvian labor forces).

I would think that also, paratroopers landing at night like in Normandy would have wanted something to help prevent friendly fire from other dispersed and jittery soldiers.

Similar to how the commandos for the St. Nazaire raid in 1942 whitened their webbing, to be distinguishable in the dark from Germans.

At the end of the day they are your figures and if you prefer them with flags you should do it!

Check copies of the US Army Pictorial History. An official history. Available through the local library loan program.
Another book in my collection is the VFW copy of WW2 Pictorial History. Harder to find but good photos.

I checked some of the Cavendish WW2 Encyclopedia books. By 1944 almost no photos show flag patches.
However in 1942 during Torch some troops have flag patches but not all.
Volume 8 page 1082 shows shows a soldier in front of the left hand column with a flag patch. Page 1087 a soldier clearly has a flag patch
I am curious about a number of photos of soldiers with a large cad on their helmet. The camo netting was holding it in place.