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out that under authority of Army Council Instruction (A.C.I.) No 2587 of 1941 they were required to obtain two

badges from each formation.

4 Jul 42 -   Authority has now been granted for the issue of the Combined Operations Badge.

10 Jul 42 -  New design for the Combined Operations Badge received.

11 Jul 42 -  Captain Knox was sent three copies of the new design, with a letter from Lord Louis Mountbatten, in

which he mentioned: Would you please make sure that the Americans concerned are given this new design which

I hope will please them.

27 Jul 42 - The first order of Combined Operations Badges for the Royal Navy, including stocks of eacn of the

three pattern numbers given to the badge: 291 A (produced in pairs) red on blue, 292A (single badge) red on blue,

292B (single badge) blue on white, 291 A similar to number 292A but produced in pairs, for wear by those naval

personnel attached to Combined Operations organisations who wear battledress. 5,000 pairs. 292A for wear on the

blue jumper 1.5 inches above the right cuff, 100,000 items. 292B for wear on the white uniform, 50,000 items.

Men entitled to wear these badges were to be issued with two pair 291 A, two badges 292A or two badges 292B.

Replacements available 2 pence a pair obtainable from H.M.S. Quebec. Purchase of these badges other than from

official sources is prohibited.

24 Aug 42  - A letter to Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander-in-Chief United States Army, European Theatre of

Operations, 20 Grosvenor Square, London, WI.

I enclose a specimen of the Combined Operations Badge which it is proposed should be worn by all British, U.S.

and Allied Other Ranks connected with Combined Operations. Would you like me to send you a supply of badges

similar to this specimen so that they can be worn by the Ranger Battalions on the left shoulder? If so, would you be

good enough to let me know how many you require. You may remember General Marshall gave approval for the

Rangers and any personnel specially trained in Beach Party or assault signal work at "Dundonald" to wear this

badge, (signed) Louis Mountbatten.

2 Sep 42 - Americans applied for supplies of Combined Operations Badges.

In a letter from America it was reported that United States Army Officers are now wearing their own version of the

Combined Operations Badge, which is very similar to ours. These were being worn by members of the Engineer

Amphibian Corps. [Mountbatten was concerned about the word 'similar' again pointing out that it was intended

that the same badge be worn by all connected with Combined Operations.]

19 Sep 42 - These badges were produced with the American Eagle replacing the original, embroidered in yellow

on light blue backing. It was also reported about this time that the US Navy also intended having their own version

of the Combined Operations Badge, asking Mountbatten not to press them into having the same colour as those

introduced by the American Army.

The United State Navy Amphibious Forces badge was the same pattern, this time embroidered on a red backing.

8 Feb 43 - It was reported that some members of the Royal Navy were arriving at the Combined Training Centre

wearing what were considered unofficial badges, embroidered in gold or yellow. In fact it was intended that naval

personnel were required to satisfactorily complete one months Combined Operations Training before being issued

with the badge.