French Équipes Nationales Fascist Youth Membership Lapel Badge

Excellent condition die stamped white metal Celtic cross with lapel “button-hole” attachment. The cross measures 18mm across. Work by male members of the EN. Typical French period construction and unmarked as most EN pieces.

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.