French Équipes Nationales Fascist Youth Beret Insignia Badge
$74.97
Excellent condition die stamped aluminum Celtic cross with four holes for sewn attachment to the men’s dark blue wool uniform beret (see images).The cross measures 40mm in diameter. While the photo shown is not included, it does illustrate how the badge was worn.
The Équipes Nationales (National Squads) was a right wing nationalist Vichy inspired organization. It was formed in 1942 to perform social tasks in both zones of France. This was theoretically a non-political formation, although it was supported by the Vichy government and although opposed to German occupation was right wing in its actions and rhetoric. The boys wore a dark blue uniform with distinctive emblems. The emblem was a Celtic cross, an emblem closely associated with fascism since it is a version of the sun cross, another name for the swastika. The EN boys were later in the war employed in clearing air raid damage and a passive defense of cities by plane spotting and running warning systems. The organization was disbanded by the Germans in 1944 on concerns it was to nationalistic.
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