Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World: An Illustrated Reference for Collectors (Schiffer Military History)

SUBMARINE BADGES AND INSIGNIA OF THE WORLD SUBMARINE BADGES AND INSIGNIA OF THE WORLD An Illustrations Reference for ...

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SUBMARINE BADGES AND INSIGNIA OF THE WORLD

SUBMARINE BADGES AND INSIGNIA OF THE WORLD An Illustrations Reference for Collectors

Pete Prichard

Schiffer Military/Aviation History Atglen, PA

Dedication To my wife Judy Parker Prichard, a terribly ane woman, who, nonetheless, has put up with my manias, crazes and fixations for more than three and a half decades.

Arma virumque cano. Of arms and the man, I sing. - The first line of Virgil's Aeneid

Book Design by Ian Robertson. Copyright © 1997 by Pete Prichard. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 96-72253 All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any forms or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval y tems - without written permission from the copyright holder. Printed in China. ISBN: 0-7643-0255-8 We are interested in hearing from authors with book ideas on related topics.

Publi hed by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 77 Lower Valley Road Alglen, PA 19310 Phone: (610) 593-1777 AX: (610) 593-2002 -mail: [email protected] Please wlile for a free catalog. hi k may be purchased from lhe publisher. Plea.~e include $2.95 po tage. Try your bookstore first.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Commander . A. Duinker, Director of Sea Cadets, Canadian avy Lieutenant Commander Peter Elistve, Asst aval Attache, Canadian avy Brian Fagin (Royal Navy) Lieutenant Colonel Vidar Falck, Naval Attache, Norwegian Embassy Captano Peiro Francini, Naval Attache, Italian avy Amm. Isp. (GN) c. a. Gino Galuppuni, Italian avy Francisco Gomez Gomez, Spanish Navy Joao R. Goncalves (Portugese Navy) Richard A. Hall (German Navy, WWI & WWII, AustroHungarian Navy) Erik Helenius, President, Finnish Navy Retired Submariner's Association Lieutenant Commander 1. Hulgaard, Flag Lieutenant, Admiral Commanding Danish Fleet Lieutenant Commander Rune Hvass, Norwegian Navy Contre-Amiral Kessler, Chef du Service Historique de la Marine, French Navy Petty Officer (Wtr) S. N. Kumar, Indian avy Commander R. J. Letts, aval Attache, Royal Australian avy Technical Sergeant, USAF (Retired) Baldwin P. Jenning Mr. Masao Narita (Flying Tigers/FedEx, Tokyo, Retired) (Japanese Navy) Teniente 2 0 Luis Morale Ortiz, Submarine Force, Chilean Navy

In the beginning I really must thank William Crosby of Perrysburg, OH, Lee Lacey of Mu kogee, OK and Eric Swendsboe of Dedham, MA, all of whom graciously opened their files, shared their data, supplied me the pictures of badges I did not have, reviewed and commented on my manuscript and generally gave me every possible help and encouragement a person could ever hope for. The re t are listed alphabetical order as there is no other fair way: Sergeant Major Alan Beckman, AUS (Retired) (For Military Equipment) Captain Dong II Baek, Millitary Attache, Korean Navy Commodore K. V. Bharathan, Naval Attache, Indian avy hris Brooker (Canadian Navy) run ancellari (Italian Navy) apitano Alberto Cervone, Assistant Naval Attache, Italian Navy apitan de Navio Jorge Arancibia Clavel, Commander in Chief, Submarine Force, Chilean Navy hiefWarrant Officer Dave Collar, U.S.A. (U.S. avy) Rear Admiral Salvador Paz Comacho, Military Attache, Venezuelan Navy. Capitan de avio (Retired) Gustavio Conde, Argentine avy Capitan Galo Davila, Naval Attache, Equadorian Navy Mister G. B. Dobbin, Deputy Director, Royal Navy Submarine Museum 6

Teniente 2 0 Christian Oxley, Submarine Force, Chilean avy Lieutenant Commander (Retired) Allen Phillips, US Submarine Force Luis Antonio Munos Pino (Chilean avy) Harry Pugh (Pakistani {Special Service Groups} and Indian avies) Alejandro M. de Quesada (Austro-Hungarian avy) Lieutenant Commander Jan Rahm tro m, Swedish Navy, aval and Air Systems Dr. P. C. van Royen, Director, Institute for Maritime History, Netherlands Ministry of Defense C. Amm.(GN)(a) Attilio Ranieri, Director of the Submarine School, Italian Navy Rear Admiral Asciepiades 1. Colmerauer Dos Santos, Brazilian Navy Commander Michael Setzer, German Navy (German, Turkish and Korean Navie ) Colonel Bambang Susanto, aval Attache, Indonesian Navy Capitam de Corvette Temporal, Service Historique de la Marine, French Navy Lieutenant Commander W. M. Thornton, Royal Navy (Retired), (Romanian Navy) Captain Victor Zaikin, Naval Attache, Navy of the Russian Federation

Photography The majority of the badges pictured in this book came from the author's collection. Photography by: David Schwartz Camera & Palette Inc. Staunton, Virginia With the exception of GER-21sv, PAK-3b, PAK-1b, PAK-2b, USN-Sv, USN-10m/lOmv and USN-19. Photography by the author. Badges contributed by William J. Crosby are BLG-3, COL-2e, FIN-1, FR-1, GER-21s, GER-21wk, GER23bwk, INO-1, LIB-1, NET-1m, NET-1e, POR-6v, POR-8v, ROM-1, SWD-1, THA-1, TKY-3, USN-10v, KSSS-1, YUG-1, YUG-6, YUG-7 and VEN-3. Photography by: Jame Sielicki Perrysburg One Hour Photo and Custom Lab Perrysburg, OH Badges contributed by Lee Lacy are CHI-1, INO-2ev1, INO-2ev2, KOR-3, KOR-4, NOR-1bv, SAF-2wk, SAF-2wkv, SPN-9b, SPN-10b, USN-lv4 and USN-20. Photography by the author

7

Foreword

Foreword

Almost two hundred and six years after th Turtle's attack, May 2, 1982, Commander Christopher WrefordBrown, captain of the nuclear sub HMS Conqueror, fired three torpedoes and sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano, becoming the la t submariner (so far) to sink a ship. It is doubly ironic that, iii the history of the submarine to date-a strictly naval weapon-the beginning started with an American Army sergeant and ended with an Argentine Army general. If the definition of an elite unit is the hazardous wartime challenge they face, then, by that standard alone, submariners are the elite of the elite. In both world wars, these units on both sides suffered casualties significantly higher than any other special group. The Dolphin is the symbol of the submariner in most of the undersea services today. More than half use it, while the others use a submarine or a combination of both. In the United States Navy a submariners' badge is called his "Dolphins." It is then somewhat fitting that the first modern submarine to sail into combat was the Greek sub Delphin (Dolphin). Commander Max Horton, R ,made the first uccessful British submarine attack while commanding E9 against the German cruiser SMS Hela off Heligoland, 13 December 1914. He was known for his "good luck" ring, his family crest, aptly incorporating a dolphin, albeit impaled on a spear that might have presaged his

It is ironic that the first combat submariner was an army sergeant named Ezra Lee, sailing David Bushnell' Turtle, against HMS Eagle, 6 September 1776, off ew York City. He used as a weapon a clockwork activated explosive charge designed with a screw auger to attach it to the bottom of the wooden ship of the day. Due to the ship's copper sheathing, the attack was unsucce sful, with the Turtle barely escaping the first example of an antisubmarine attack, a rowed picket boat filled with riflemen. It was some ninety years later that the first successful submarine attack was made. The ill fated Confederate submarine CSS Hunley that sank five times before it wa deployed in anger, attacked the Union corvette USS Hou atonic at anchor in Charleston Roads. Using the sui idal par torpedo, a contact explosive charge on the n of a long pole, Lieutenant George Dixon rammed lh Yank vessel, unhappily sinking both it and the gallant little Hunley itself. The fir t modern submarine action was by the Greek e sel Delphin, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Paparrigopoulos, that attacked the Turkish cruiser Mejidieh off the Dardenelles, 9 December 1912, in the First Balkan War. His torpedo ITli sed. The hi torical honor of the fir t uccessful modern ubmarine attack must go to Oberleutnant Hersing. As commander of the U-21, he sank the British cruiser HMS Pathfinder, 3 September 1914.

8

Collecting military insignia, though a slightly esoteric hobby, has many proponents and has generated an abundance of publication on their history, provenance and value. For medals, shoulder patches, and flight and parachute wings, a whole spectrum of references can be found. For the collector of Submariner's Badges, sparse indeed are the pickings. Here and there in books on whole countries' military heraldry will you find an obscure reference to these most elite insignia. They are indeed outnumbered by books on military buttons and Celtic war swords. Information on the con truction material, classes, qualifications, dates of issue or location on the uniform is rarer than books on bamboo collecting. Janes Fighting Ships, 1995/96 edition, lists at least 41 countries that operate submarines. This does not even take into account other, uch as Austria-Hungary, Imperial and Nazi Germany, Imperial Russia, Estonia, Finland and Imperial Iran, all of whom operated submarines but are no longer extant. At thi writing even Saudi Arabia is preparing to join the underwater club. Yet there are few collectors and Ie information. This small book is trying to remedy this ituation with a collation of the available information. Where accessible and amenable, aval sources of the pertinent country were queried; otherwise collector, dealers and photographs were used. In some places, guesses were ventured. In the final analysis, any mistakes are mjne.

later successes as an antisubmarine expert as C in C, Western Approaches in World War Two. In 1971, Great Britain authorized a dolphin badge for submariners. Not all depict the dolphin; some have sharks, and the orwegians call their badge their "Cods" from the fish depicted thereon. As this is a proud badge for the elite of the elite it is rarely given a unfavorable sobriquet. Only one example comes to mind; the British sailors named their first submarine badge issued in 1958 "sausage on a stick" or "sausage roll" because of the plump little submarine shape. As wearing of this badge was optional, it was rarely worn. Qualification badges for submariners were sparse in the early days. Probably the Imperial Russian Navy issued the first official badge in 1909, followed closely by Austria-Hungary in 1910. The United States first issued theirs in 1924, Officers in gold metal, Enlisted in cloth embroidery, either blue or white worn on the right lower sleeve (replaced in 1950 by a silver metal badge like the Officer's). Cap tallies for the other ranks were the only indications up to at least 1954 in the Royal and German Navies; though Germany issued U-Boat War Badge, there was no distinctive for submarine qualification. In the early 90's Saudi Arabia became the latest (to date) to i sue a badge. In this book, the insignia of miniature submariners are shown as such if they are different from the large boat badges. Miniature submarines sank or damaged over 53 warship in WWII.

9

Caveats and Conventions

Caveats and Conventions

Though a great many people offered their input and help, all of which was greatly appreciated, any errors are mine and mine alone. In cases where there was contradictory information, I made the decision which data to keep and which to discard. This was based on conventional wisdom, logic, just plain stubbornness or delusions of grandeur. All the foreign embassies and maritime forces were queried for the accuracy of these pages, but not all answered my letters. The Republic of China is listed under Taiwan to avoid confusion. This convention is good enough for Jane's All the Worlds Fighting Ships so I will follow it here. The USSR is listed under Russia! USSR, and Great Britain is under the United Kingdom. Where known, the official names of the particular navies were added under the country heading. Current submarine listings were based on sources up to date in late 1995-early 1996. Countries that currently operate submarines, did operate submarines, or are planning to operate submarines that had or have no kn wn badges ordistinctives are grouped together in the beginning ( the bo k. Certain descriptions of tlie badges deal with the heraldry of their appl iques, of National Arms or the Ii ke. In these descriptions h raldic convention was used. Dexter refers to the right as seen by the person bearing the arms not the observer. The same is true when inister is used referring to the left. When speaking of left and right breast it should be intuitively obvious which is which, but if not, it is the left and right side of the person of whose breast we speak. Starboard (right) and Port (left) are used to describe what side of the boat is displayed, and thus in what direction the submarine appears to be sailing (making to the left or to the right ambiguous). Any other time left and right refer to the viewer's left and right.

Dimensions are gi ven in inches and I OOths of inches because I find that an easier system to work in. Those that desire centimeters simply have to multiply by 2.54. The width is given first, followed by the height, and then any other dimension that might be pertinent. This sizing applies to the actual insignia and not the background in the case of cloth or bullion badges unless otherwise noted. Small letters after the code letters and numbers of the badges refer to the construction or kind of badge. The primary badge, whether metal, bullion or cloth will have no following code letters. If there is more than one variant, they will be numbered after the v. If the badge falls into more than one category, both will be shown.

warriors are the uniform ones. I myself spent my entire uniformed military career after jump school wearing an unofficial and nonstandard pair of parachute wings that were in heavy bas relief refelTed to as "Pregnant" wings. They were purchased at the Post Exchange and were never questioned during any inspection. I was not in the minority. In the case of Brazil, I was assured that the single full size metal badge was the only badge authorized and worn by the Brazilian Submarine Force. All others were taboo. However, a miniature, referred to as a Mess Dress version, was given to a friend of mine by a Brazilian Admiral. I bought cloth embroidered badges across the street from the Submarine Base in Rio and saw sailors wearing them on their coveralls. I spent an hour or so conversing with a nice Brazilian Lieutenant Commander about the Brazilian Submarine Force (and Naval Aviation) who was wearing a bullion (metal thread) version of the authorized badge. All of these badges did not exist if one asked the regulation bound at the top, but there they were. Another point that I would like to put to rest in this book is that in the United States, the fact that a badge has a horizontal safety pin attachment does not date it to WWII, nor does having clutch pins keep it from being worn during that period. Jewelers added vertical clutch back pin attachments for individuals who were tired of fumbling with the government issued horizontal pins and manufactur-

ers followed suit for the general market late in the war. The military decreed the horizontal pin in their specifications for manufacturer's bids well into the sixties. As late as 1959, both parachute and flight wings with the horizontal pins were issued from government stocks. At the same time, the base exchanges and military stores only stocked badges with clutchbacks. The point is that even reputable dealers sell as WWII vintage, wings or badges based only on the fact that there is a horizontal pin attachment. This includes offering silver metal USN enlisted submariner's badges as World War II vintage when this badge was not even authorized or issued until 1950-a full five years after the war. World War II enlisted submariner's badges were in cloth and were sewed on the right arm between the wrist and elbow. The finish or fine appearance of a badge may not be indicative of provenance. In some cases the fact that a badge is somewhat primitively rendered may mean that it is genuine, as in the case of Indonesian badges that are usually machine shop creations made especially for the new awardee. Where I can, I have put wrongly considered or bogus badges in with the real ones, labeled as such of course. In many cases, the fake badge is more detailed or better looking than the original. I believe that one should be forewarned about those that are not exactly real. I myself collect bogus badges and enjoy the art of the faker, but I hate to see people paying real prices for phony pieces.

The b c m

following letters are used in the book as subdesignations: bullion cloth min iature leather me metal (used when the primary badge is cloth or bullion) p plastic or mylar s summer sd subdued tt tie tack v variant w winter wk working x bogus or faked badge ? provenance unknown or suspected

Some of the badges depicted in the book are not officially authorized. That does not mean that they are bogus or not wornthey may be de facto if not de jure. As an ex-military type I can assure you that the first regulations to be broken by newly recruited

/0

JJ

Glossary Gilt: Gold colored.

Glossary

Guppy: This refers to the upgraded U.S. and other country' streamlining the fleet boats to make them faster and more efficient. There were other boats built from the ways in this style. Guppy stands for Greater Underwater PropuLsion Performance. Again this only refer to the general shape of the submarine, not any actual boat. Hauriant: A fish, here normally a dolphin, in the act of swimming to the surface. Heraldic term. High Relief: Sculptured figures which project by more than half from background. Incised: Where the lettering or de ign is lower than the surface of a badge. Jumping Wire: The heavy cable that extends fore and aft from the periscope shears. Found on older submarines, it was used to prevent jamming in anti-submarine nets. Medal Bar(s): The row (or rows) of medal ribbons worn normally above the left pocket. MGNR: Marina da Guerra Nazionale Repubblicana. National Republican Navy. Naval units of the RSI (1943-45.) Merrowing: The over-sewing of the edges of a cloth badge to retard unraveling.

Albacore: This refers to the shape of the hull, not the actual ship. Tt only concerns the standard nuclear submarine hull that followed the Guppy type boat.

Marina Militare: Italian Navy (1946-) Mufti: Civilian clothes.

Bas-relief: Slight projection from the surface. aiant: A fish, here normally a dolphin, in the act of swimming horizontally. Heraldic term. BeVo: BeteiLigung Vorsteher .. .Insignia woven by the Jacquard loom method. Normally found in German WWTT and current Tsraeli Air Force insignia.

Non-Substanti ve: A term (British) referring to a badge that denotes a job or specialty but not rank. A trade badge.

Bullion: Referring to a badge made out of metallic wire sewn to a wool or other heavy background. Mylar thread is sometimes used currently.

0.0: Olive Drab, the color of U.S. Services fatigues (non-c.amouflaged): Sometime referred to as olive green (OG) or khaki if one uses the British meaning.

Cliche: A process of stamping thin metal between two matched dies, giving strength and lightness to the badge. German WWl & WWTI badges are sometimes found made this way as well as current Soviet. Also referred to as hollow-back or repousse.

Open: See Pierced. Pierced: When portions of the insignia are incised or cut out. Also called open.

Clutch-back: Method of attaching insignia to uniform by having two or more vertical short pins that pierce the material and are held by brass or steel clutches on the inside. (See pin-back) ap ally: A black silk (now nylon) hat band worn around the base of the enlisted cap. It originally had the wearer's ship or shore stablishment in BeVo (qv) woven gold bullion. i onne: Fused powdered glas or enamel placed in separate cells formed by thin strips of metal. CPO: Chief Petty Officer. Highest enlisted rank in most navies (some navies have multiple grades within this classification). Also considered a Warrant Officer in some navies.

Pin-back: Manner of attaching insignia to uniforms by having a long, hinged horizontal pin that pierces the material going in, then out, and is secured on the other edge by a clasp much like a safety pin. (See clutch-back) PO: Petty Officer, a naval non-commissioned officer. Port: The left side of a vessel from the perspective of a person aboard facing forward. Reefer Jacket: Standard double breasted open jacket worn by officers and petty officers. Relief: Where the lettering or design is raised above the surface of the badge.

Dexter: Heraldic term meaning right. Normally the right side of a heraldic shield from the perspective of the one carrying it. Reverse: Exterior back of object. Displayed: Heraldic term meaning (usually in the case of a bird) that the wings are open and down but not spread. RM: Regia Marina, Royal Navy (Italian thru 1946) Fleet Sub: This refers to the tandard U-Boat and U.S. submarines up to and after World War If. The term is used only to identify the shape of the submarine.

RSI: Repubblica Sociale Italiana. Italian units that fought on the German side after the 1943 capitulation of Italy in

Foul Anchor: Often found in Naval heraldry, it is an anchor that has its line or chain wrapped (fouled) around a fluke.

Screw-back: A vertical screw post on the back of a badge that holds the badge on with a threaded nut. Prevalent in I

12

13

II

n

I~ur

p .

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World Sinister: Heraldic term meaning left. Normally the left side of a heraldic shield from the perspective of the one carrying it. Square Rig: Standard sailor's dress in most navies. Jumper, with or without neckerchief, and bell bottom trousers. Usually dark blue wool for winter, white cotton duck for summer.

Countries Without Badges

SS: S!.lbmarine, General SSA: Submarine, Auxiliary SSB : Submarine, Ballistic MissilefNuciear Powered SSe: Submarine, Coastal SSG(N): Submarine, Surface to Surface Missile (Nuclear Powered) SSK: Submarine with ASW capability. (Hunter-Killer) SSN: Submarine, Attack (Nuclear Powered) Starboard: The right side of a vessel from the perspective of a person aboard facing forward. Suntans: A U.S. military term referring to light tan summer cotton or tropical worsted uniforms.

These are countries that operate or operated Submarines but have no known Submarine Badges:

2061209 Class: Modern German diesel-electric boats that are being used by many countries. Reference is to the shape of the hull.

Algeria

Urinant: A fish, here normally a dolphin, in the act of diving. Heraldic term.

Algeria has 2 Kilo Type Submarines acquired as new construction from the Soviet Union 1987/88. These replace two aging Romeos acquired earlier from the USSR. No known badges.

Warrant Officer: Usually a highly specialized and senior ex-enlisted man (appointed as opposed to commissioned) who has the pay and privileges of an officer but not the executive function. In ome navie , Chief Petty Officers are considered Warrants and are in a total clas apart from both officer and rankers. White Metal: Here, any metal that appears to be silver.

Cuba

Algerian Marine

Latvia In 1937 the Latvian avy commissioned 2 French built submarine , probably mine-layers. Mo t likely done to stay even with Estonia. Little is known about the disposition of these vessels after the Soviet Occupation. There were no known badges struck.

Marina De Guerra Revolucionaria Malaysia

Tentara Laut

Cuba has 3 ex Soviet Foxtrots which at the time of this writing are all non-operational for lack of spare part and maintenance. It has been rumored that the Cuban Submarine Commanders wore the Soviet Sub Commander's Badge (RUS-2) when they qualified.

The Malay ian Navy is currently training for two used Swedi h boats and have 2 more building. None in current commission. There has been no Submarine Badge issued as yet.

Estonia

Singapore

In 1937 Estonia bought two Kalev Cia s mine laying submarines, Kalev and Lemhit, from Vickers Armstrong in Great Britain, which were integrated into the Soviet Navy when they occupied Estonia in 1940. Kalev was sunk off the south coast of Finland during WWII while Lemhi! served till stricken in 1979. No badges or distinctives were issued during the 3 years the subs served in the independent Estonian Navy.

The Republic of Singapore Navy has 2 GenTIan 206 Class SSKs on order. No submarines in commis ion or Submariner's Badges issued.

Yellow Metal: Here, any metal that appears to be gold.

Syria Syria has one ex-Soviet Romeo on its naval I ist at this time. Prior to this they had 2 more Romeos and a Whiskey as a charging station and there was talk about acquiring 3 Kilos but not done 0 far. No known badges have been i ued.

Korea (North) North Korea's Submarine Force con ists of 4 ex Soviet Whiskey SS and 20 Romeo SS , 7 of which were transferred from the People's Republic of China, 13 built in Korean yards. Also, there are 40 plus Korean built midgets for infiltrating commandos and saboteurs.

/4

Republic of Singapore Navy

/5

Argentina

Albania

Armada Republica Argentina

In 1960 Albania acquired 2 Whisky type submarines from the Soviet Union along with a submarine tender. When the Soviets were ordered out in 1961 after a political falling out, the Albanians seized two more. Only two were kept operational and by 1980 no boats were operative. Now it is thought that two of the boats are operating and a third is used as a harbor training boat and charging station. The 4th boat has been deleted from the naval lists. All boats are based at Sazan Island. Little is known about Albanian Submarine Badges as to when issued or qualification for wear. The upper badge is in grey thread embroidery on dark blue wool backing, and was probably worn by all ranks on the left breast on the dress uniform. (ALB-I) The lower badge is in silver bullion on dark blue backing. It is a known copy and may not reflect a real Albanian Submarine badge. (ALB-Ib?)

Argentina ordered its first submarines in the late twenties. These three, made in Italy, were the first Santa Fe Class and served in the fleet from 1932 to 1959. In 1960 the Armada Republica bought two Ballao class boats from the U.S. These were not modified to Guppy configuration. They were replaced in 197 I by two U.S. made Guppy type boats, strangely given the same names, Santa Fe and Santiago del Este. Two German Type 209s(1200) were delivered and assembled at Astilleros Domecq Garcia, Buenas Aires, in 1974. These boats are of the Salta Class, Salta and San Luis. Santa Fe was caught on the surface during the Falklands campaign by ASW helicopters and damaged beyond seaworthiness, giving it the dubious honor of being the first submarine defeated by helicopters. She carried no antiaircraft facilities after her refit. San Luis hunted in the general area of the Falklands, thereby causing a large ASW effort by the main British fleet, though she didn't sink a ship. Presently Salta, San Luis, and two Type 209s (1700), Santa Cruz Class (Santa Cruz and San Juan) comprise the Submarine Force, the Guppys having been stricken. There are two boats on the ways in Buenas Aires that are planned to be shipped to Emden for completion. Only Argentina of all the South American Navies has used their submarines in an armed conflict.

Argentinian arms appliqued on current submarine badges. Light blue enamel at top, white at bottom. Wreath clasped arms and staff in gold. Phrygian cap at top of staff in red enamel.

World War II Officer's Submarine Badge. (OjUiales en submarinos) (ARG-I) Worn on left breast, later the right. An oval representation of the Argentinian flag in enamel is at center. In matte finish only, this badge was used from 1933-1945. It has a safety pin attachment.

3.33" X .79"

ALB-I

ARG-I

2.99" X .87"

World War II Enlisted Submarine Badge. (Personal en submarinos) (ARG-2) Worn on left breast, later the right. Stamped rope encircled anchor device at center. In matte finish only, this badge was used from 1933-1969. It has a safety pin attachment. ARG-2

3.33" X .79"

ALB-Ib? /6

/7

2.99" X .87"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

ARG-3

2.99" X .87"

ARG-3v

Argentina

2.99", X .87"

Current Submarine Officer's Badge (Oficiales en submarinos). Comes in both a matte (ARG-3) or polished (ARG-3v) finish. National arms at center in enamel. Currently worn on the right breast. Used from 1945 to date. Pinback or clutchpin attachment.

RG-3c

2.79" X .90"

ARG-4c

'urrent Submarine Badge in embroidered cloth Officer with yellow thread sub (ARG-3c). Enlisted with grey thread sub.(ARG-4c). On dark blue wool, National arms at center in light blue, white and red thread. Currently worn on right breast of fatigues and coveralls.

ARG-3m

ARG-4

2.99" X .87"

ARG-4v

2.99" X .87"

2.79" X .90"

1.42" X .44"

There are miniature versions of the Officer's and Enlisted Submarine Badges. Officer's Shown. (ARG-3m). Safety pin attachment.

Current Enlisted Submarine Badge (Personel en submarinos). It comes in both a matte (ARG-4) or polished (ARG-4v) finish. National arms at center in enamel. Worn on the right breast. Used from 1969 to date. They can have either a safety pin or clutch back fastening.

A new Badge, the Submarine Support Officer's Badge (Officiales de Apoyo) was introduced in 1991. This badge is like the standard officer's badge, except that the National arms are stamped in gold but not enamel filled. (ARG-S)

ARG-6

ARG-S

Drawn from a verbal description, this badge (ARG-6) is supposed to be the new issue r r senior, long serving Chief Petty Officers. Colors, size, qualification or where worn is unknown.

2.99" X .87" /8

/9

Australia Cloth version of the Submariner's Badgc. Embroidered in colored thread on a dark blue mcrrowed backing. This is worn on coveralls and working uniforms. This badge is unofficial but is condoned within the submarinc squadron. The background measures 3.45" by 1.62" (AUS-lc)

Australia Royal Australian Navy

Commander Henry Cook, RAN, was the mover behind the creation of an Australian Navy Submariner's Badge. The Royal Navy had come out with their cloth "Sausage on a Stick/Sausage Roll" in 1958, and because of its innate ugliness the crews refused to wear it (wearing was optional). Commander Cook thought that the submariners deserved a badge that they would be proud to wear. He persuaded the Australian Naval Board to consider the badge if a suitable design could be devised. The design was the work of Commander (Later Captain) Alan H. MacIntosh, a non-submariner, who was a co-worker of Commander Cooks. The dolphins were inspired by the dolphins on his submarine supporter's tie, and the crown was drawn from a florin coin. The badge was produced by Stokes, Melbourne. Commander Cook was given the distinction of being the first officer to wear the "Dolphins" after RAN issued Naval Order 411 on July 25, 1966, detailing eligibility. Ironically, the crew of HMS Trump, the final British submarine based in Sydney, was given the Australian Dolphins to wear for a year, and they so obviously approved of them that in 1978 the Royal Navy issued a badge closely based on Captain McIntosh's design (qv). Prior to the acquisition of the Oberon class, enlisted submariners wore cap tallies with "HMA SUBMARINES." After the introduction of the Oberons, RAN submariners wore the name of the ship on their tallies. Personnel posted as standby crews to the new Collins class wear "HMA SUBMARINES" until their submarines are commissioned.

AUS-lc

2.83" X .80"

Bullion version of the Royal Australian Navy Submariner's Badge. Made from bullion gold thread and colored silk on a navy blue hacking. This is neither authorized nor worn. It is probably a Submarine Association blazer badge (AUS-lb?)

Currently, the Royal Australian Navy operates 3 Oberon Class built in Greenock, Onslow, Orion and Drama. 6 Collins Class boats are being built by the Australian Submarine Corp. in Adelaide. At this writing only the Collins is probably in commission (due late '95)-the other 5 are still building.

The Royal Australian Navy Submarine Badge. Worn by all qualified ranks over the left pocket or medal bar. It is formed by a dark blue plain shield supported by two dolphins, topped by a Queen's crown. Unlike the British, there is no anchor on the shield. Worn by all ranks. Clutch pin attachment. (AUS-l)

AUS-l

AUS-lb?

2.86" X .85"

Miniature version or the RAN Submariner's Badge. Worn with mess-dress. Clutch pin attachment. (AUS-lm)

AUS-lm

20

1.97" X .60" 2/

2.76" X .87"

Austria-Hungary

Brazil Marinha do Brazil

Though both Austria and Hungary are currently landlocked, until 1918 the Austro-Hungarian Empire consisted of a great deal of Yugoslavia and Romania, as well as Austria and Hungary. Pola (Pula) and Fiume (Rijeka) in present-day Croatia were Austria-Hungary's principal naval bases on the Adriatic. Fiume was the home of the Whitehead (inventor of the modern torpedo) Naval Factory, and Pola was the main base for the twenty or so vessel Austro-Hungarian V-Boat fleet as well as submarine units of the Kaiserliche Marine.

First authorized April 15, 1910, the original Submarine Crew Member's Badge (Abzeichen fur vBoot-Besatzungen) came with a spring clip attachment. They were of solid construction, made of silver colored Thio-metal. Later during World War I a pin back arrangement was used. This badge was made post war by Rothe, Wien on the original dies with a broad pinback. Worn on the left pocket or below. The badge was worn by all ranks.(AH-I) Many versions of the Austro Hungarian Submarine Crew Member's Badge (Abzeichenfiir V-Boot-Besatzungen) were made privately. This example, larger than the standard version, has a gold anchor and silver "V" and "B". It is mounted on a navy blue wool oval. Worn on or below the left pocket. (AH-2)

l .'

I'

Brazil bought her first three submarines, F-I Class, from Laurenti-Fiat, La Spezia, in 1913. Though Brazil joined the Allies in October 1918, it was too late for her small submarine force to play any part in the war. Humaita was bought from Italy in 1927 and was ~he only operating ~ubmarine fro~ 1933-1938 when three !upi Class boats were bought from Italy in 1938. These submarines operated III home waters dunng WWII, aga1l1 as a member of the AllIes, but saw no action with the enemy. In 1958, the USN transferred two Gato lass fleet boats. to the Marinha, which was followed by a transfer of two Balao Class in 1963. They were replaced by five Guppy IIs and two Guppy IIIs 111 1972-73. These were supplemented by three new British Oberon Class boats between 1973 and 1977. In 1982 Brazil ordered 209 Class (Type 1400) boats from Germany. These are the beginning of the Tupi Class boats, Tupi and Tamoio, with four more planned or building. The current Submarine Force consists of these and the lhree Oberons, (Humaila Class) Humaita, Tonelaro, and Riachuelo. The Guppys have been stricken from the lists.

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AH-I

1\11-2

V-Boat Veteran's Badge, a large white "V" with a Austro Hungarian Naval ensign in red and white enamel sporting the arms of Austria and Hungary waving through the gap. Shown here twice normal size. (AH-3)

1.65" X 2.39"

3.34" X .88"

BRZ-I

AH-3

GER-I

1.39" X 2.14"

.68" X .72"

Dating from the 1920's, this badge is a representation of the original 1913 Fiat Type F submarines first ordered by [he Marinha Brazileira. It is worn by both officers and enlisted men on the left breast. Depending upon manufacturer, it comes in a dark yellow or a bri hl y II w gold metal. According to official sources, this is the only authorized version of the Submariner's Badge. (BRZ-I)

This is the only badge duplicated on more than one page since it was awarded to Austro-Hungarian submariners as well as Imperial German ones. The Imperial Navy, V-Boat War Badge, (V-Boot Kriegabzeichen, Kaiserliche Marine) dates from 1918. Further information under the German badge section. (GER-I)

1.95" X 1.90"

22

23

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Bulgaria Voennomorski Flot

3.24" X .87"

BRZ-1b

The bullion version is worn on dress uniforms. This badge is not authorized, but is being sold near the Sub Base in Rio. The submarine and wake are differentiated by matte and shiny gold wire. The rectangular 4.02"X 1.22" background is navy blue wool with a merrowed edge. (BRZ-1b)

Bulgaria's first submarine was Podvodnik (Submarine) #18, ceded from Germany at the end of World War I. Bulgaria may have operated submarines under German hegemony during WWII, but details are unavailable. Currently, the Submarine Force consists of 2 Probeda (Romeo) Class, Nadezhda and Slava, which replaced two Whiskeys in c 1972. This rendering is of the WWII Bulgarian Submariner's Badge (BLG-l ?), which is probably the rarest of submarine badges. It is described in a Bulgarian book printed in German and is called Unterseesoldat Abzeichen, or Under-water Soldier's Badge. It is most likely struck in silver metal. The attachment method is unknown. Dated 1940-1944, it is unknown whether Bulgaria actually operated submarines during this time.

BLG-l?

The Bulgarian Submarine Badge (BLG-2) is worn by all qualified ranks on the right breast. It was issued in 1984 to celebrate thirty years of the People's Republic's submarine service. It is quite reminiscent of the Soviet commemorative distinctives (qv). Hallmarked 415 K on reverse.

3.57" X .86"

BRZ-1c

Worn on fatigues and coveralls, the cloth version has the wake and submarine differentiated by different tones of yellow thread. Again, n t officially authorized, but I personally have seen this badge worn on working uniforms (coveralls). The 4" X 1.2" background is navy blue cotton with a merrowed edge. (BRZ-1c)

BLG-2

1.53" X 1.55" BLG-3

1.92" X .56"

BRZ-1m

The miniature version is similar to the full-sized version but has less detail. It is about 2/S's size. Though this badge is not officially authorized, it was given to a fellow collector by a Brazilian admiral. (BRZ-1m)

24

Approx. 2.5" X .75"

1.53" X 1.55"

Bulgarian Presentation Badge (BLG-3) is given to important visitors to the Submarine Force. It is not a qualification badge.

25

Canada

Canada

Maritime Command of the Canadian Armed Forces

Royal Canadian Navy

At the end of the First World War the RCN had four submarines on its books, H-14, H-IS, CC-I and CC-2-all Holland types. During WWII Canada's main thrust was antisubmarine warfare, leaving submarine operations to Great Britain. Canada had a Balao Class boat operating from 1961-69 and a Trench Class from 1968-74. Canada currently operates three Objibwa (Oberon) Class submarines, Objibwa (ex Onyx), Onondaga and Okanagan, all named for American Indian tribes.

Worn on the right sleeve between the wrist and elbow by enlisted personnel on winter blue uniforms. Badge is red embroidery on a navy blue, 1.98" X 2.48", wool background. Worn from 1961 to 1970. (CAN-2w)

Through two wars Canada followed the British convention in having the submarine service denoted by a cap tally showing the sub's name or HM Submarines for enlisted men, and nothing for officers. In 1961 the Royal Canadian Navy authorized a distinctive badge showing a single bottle-nosed dolphin, urinant, which was worn above the left pocket in metal for officer's and on the right sleeve for other ranks. A two dolphin with maple leaf version was authorized for officers in 1970 when the RCN became part of the Canadian Armed Forces This badge was extended to all ranks in 1989 on advent of a new blue uniform.

Worn on the right sleeve between the wrist and elbow by enlisted personnel on summer white uniforms. Badge is dark blue embroidery on a while, 2.00" X 2.72", COllon duck background. Worn from 1961 10 1970. (CAN-2s)

The Officer's Submarine badge, authorized in 1961. This is in gold metal with a pin back. Worn on the left breast until 1970. (CAN-I)

CAN-2w

.96" X 1.92"

CAN-2s

.96" X 1.92"

In 1970 when the uni form was changed to green, the enlisted badge changed to yellow thread on a dark green padded background. Worn on right sleeve. (CAN-3)

CANol

Worn on the # I green un iform sleeve, this badge is of metal wire bullion on rich green wool backing. . It is an enlisted badge. Worn on right sleeve (CAN-3b)

.88" X 1.55"

A bullion version of the previous badge on navy blue wool. For POs and other enlisted men, it was worn on the right sleeve of the #1 uniform until 1970. (CAN-2b) CAN-2b 26

1.04" X 1.96"

CAN-3

CAN-3b

.85" X 1.58"

27

1.22" X 2.12"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

CAN-4

3.35" X 1.60"

CAN-4v

Canada

3.35" X 1.60"

In 1970 when the RCN was consolidated into the Canadian Armed Forces, the officer's badge was redesigned, incorporating the then new maple leaf national symbol. The wearing of the badge was extended to all ranks in 1989 when the Navy went back to blue uniforms. Embroidered on cloth, a gold maple leaf encircled by a red wreath supported by two gold bottle-nosed dolphins and topped by a Queen's crown in gold and red. The background is padded and was originally dark green and changed to black in 1989. Worn on the left breast. Crown has gold (CAN-4) or colored jewels. (CAN-4v)

CAN-4b

3.20" X 1.52"

CAN-4p

3.20" X 1.52"

Bullion version of the Canadian Submarine Badge in colored thread and metal wire. The background is padded. Originally dark green, it was changed to black in 1989. Crown has gold or colored jewels in variants. (CAN-4b) Currently, all these badges are made in Mylar instead of metal bullion. (CAN-4p)

Mess dress version of the badge. Gold mylar and thread on a red wool background. Worn on the red or white mess jacket. (CAN4mp)

CAN-4me

2.86" X 1.22"

CAN-4sd

Metal version of the Canadian Submarine Badge first issued in 1970. The dolphin supporters are in gold, and the maple leaf is amber on a green field with a red and gold crown. This badge did not change when the uniform changed to blue. (CAN-4me)

3.28" X 1.58"

Garrison version of the Canadian Submarine Badge in old gold on OD cloth with merrowed edges. (CAN-4sd)

28

CAN-4mp

2.45" X 1.20"

CAN-4mme

CAN-2m

1.39" x .63"

.30" X .50"

These miniatures of the metal Canadian Submarine Badges are not officially authorized, but are probably worn as tie-tacks or used as sweetheart pins. (CAN-4mme/Can-lm)

29

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Royal Canadian Sea Cadets

Chile Armada de Chile

Thanks to the successes of the Chilean Navy under British Admiral Cochrane during the War of Independence from Spain, 18171819, Chile has tended toward British naval products. Chile's first six submarines (H Class) were ceded from Great Britain as partial payment for ordered warships not delivered because ofWWI. The first arrived in 1917. The last of these boats was finally written off in 1953. In 1928-29 Vickers built three boats of the Capitan O'Brien Class (Odin Class), Capitan 0 'Brien, Capitan Thompson and Almirante Simpson, for the Armada (Profile is the current submariner's badge). The last of these were stricken in 1958. Two Balao Class fleet boats were purchased from the United States in 1961-62, with one serving through 1982. The long service life of these boats is an indication of the excellent maintenance programs of the Chilean Navy. 2 Oberon Class subs were received in 1976 and two German 209 Class (Type 1300) in 1984. The two Oberons, O'Brien and Hyatt, and the two German boats, Thompson and Simpson., constitute the current Chilean Submarine Force. CAN-6 The first Chilean Submarine Badge (called the "H" badge) dates from 1920 unofficially and was recognized in 1927 by the Official Bulletin of the Army, 25 Aug., 1927. Bronze or gold for officers, aluminum for enlisted men, it was worn until the upgrading of the fleet in 1929 to "0" type submarines. (CHL-l)

CAN-5

Whole Patch 2.75" x 3.0"

CAN-6v

2.55" x 1.30"

The three badges shown here are unique to all other submarine badges in the book as they are awarded to a civilian group. They belong to the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, an official youth group sponsored by the Canadian Armed Forces The upper right drawing is taken from the 1987 dress regulations for Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Force Cadets. The one at upper left (CAN-5) is awarded for completing a submarine course and is worn on the upper right sleeve, while the one at upper right (CAN-6) is for on the job training while serving on a submarine. and is worn over the right breast pocket and supersedes the arm patch. They are in dark green with white embroidery. The badge on the lower right (CAN-6v) is a more current variant of the badge above it in white thread on a dark green merrowed background. Modeled on the Canadian Submarine badge. As Submarine subjects are no longer part of the Cadet courses, this badge as well as the two earlier are now obsolete. CHL-2

2.62" x .55"

CHL-3

The second Submarine Badge (Piocha de Submarinos ) was instituted in 1929 and worn until 1971. Gold badges are worn by all ranks qualified in submarines on the left breast. It is called the "0" badge (CHL-2)

30

2.62" x .55"

This badge is the same as the badge on the left but in ilver metal. It is worn by personnel in the Auxiliary services like Medical, Supply and Engineering. Worn on the left breast as well. (CHL-3)

31

Chile

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

CHL-4

2.62"

X

.55"

CHL-5

The Submarine Badge was upgraded in 1971 because the original die was showing considerable wear. It was requested that the fragile jumping wires fore and aft from the periscope shears be left off. As before, all submarine qualified ranks wear this badge in gold on the left. (CHL-4)

2.62"

X

.55"

This badge is the same as the badge on the left but in silver metal. It is worn by personnel in the Auxiliary services like Medical, Supply and Engineering. Worn on the left breast as well. (CHL-5)

CHL-6v

2.62"

X

.55"

In 1990 a new manufacturer, Leiva, came on line with another die. The finish is matte and much rougher. (CHL-6v)

CHL-6tt

.80"

2.62"

X

.55"

CHL-?

The current Submarine Badge is the same as the one above except that the jumping wires were reinstated per Rule 7-31-67 Annex B" of Regulation. Worn in gold by submarine qualified personnel on the left breast.(CHL-6)

2.62"

X

CHL-8 Inner 1.30" x .30" Outer 2.15" x 2.95"

.55"

This Submarine Badge is the same as the badge on the left but in silver metal. It is worn by personnel attached to the submarine detachment in certain auxiliary skills, Engineering, Medical and Supply. Both Milleo manufacture (CHL-?)

32

.15"

Probably not an authorized miniature, but used unofficially as a tie tack (CHL-6tt)

Beret Badge for Submarine Personnel (Diademas Submariniste). A wreath around the standard "0" type badge with a heraldic Naval crown above, in gold metal. In two pieces. (CHL-8)

CHL-6

X

33

China

Colombia

People's Liberation Army Navy

Armada De La Republica Colombia

China's first 6 submarines were received from the USSR in 1954-55. They were obsolete Series XV types. China, desiring their own shipbuilding capability, received the parts for 5 Soviet Whiskeys which were assembled in Jiangnan. After this, 16 Whiskey Types were built in China. After receiving parts for three Romeo types in 1956, China manufactured 87 for themselves as well as 8 more for export (North Korea, 4 and Egypt, 4). The Ming Class was the first Chinese designed and built type. They were built in the 70s and had early operational troubles which seem to have been corrected. Though the Peoples Republic of China has an impressive number of submarines on its, roster many of them, especially the ex-Soviet Romeos, are non-operational. China's interest is more in coastal defense than in strategic operations. The Chinese Navy is now building their own designs and improving their Submarine Force toward this end. At present China operates 49 submarines, 1 Hia Class SSBN, 1 Gold Class SSB, 5 Han Class SSNs, 1 Kilo, 10 Ming, and 30 Romeo Class SSKs, as well as 1 modified Romeo SSG (cruise missile boat).

2.42"

CHI-I

X

.40"

The Colombian National arms, as found on the early Submarine Badge. In chief a yellow and red pomegranate between two conucopiae on a blue field, at center, a red Phrygian cap (Cap of Liberty) on a white field, and at base, two ships and a representation of the Isthmus of Panama in light and dark blue. The shield is supported by a silver condor below which is the legend "Libertad Y Orden" (Liberty and Order), and is flanked by two draped Colombian flags in yellow, blue and red.

Chinese submarine crews do not wear an elite distinctive, but it is purported that they do wear this gold tie pin with their dress uniforms. It is a silhouette view of the starboard side of a Han class submarine, with an alligator clip type attachment on the reverse. (CHI-I) Colombia is fairly new in the submarine community. They got their first boats in 1971, two Italian Cosmos midgets, lntrepedo and Indomable. These can carry up to eight underwater swimmers. In 1975,2 German 209 Class (Type 1200)s were commissioned, Pijao and Tayronna. These 4 constitute the current Colombian Submarine Force. Early version of the Colombian Submarine Badge. A fleet boat, it has the National arms on the saddle tank below the conning tower in colored enamel. Shark supporters to the arms. Gold badge is worn by all ranks. With a parachute behind the conning tower and no arms this badge was used by the Colombia Navy for S.E.A.L.s., also replaced by a later type. (COL-I)

2.30" x 1.00"

CHI-2?

Purported to be the Chinese Submarine Commander's Badge, but, as the Chinese military rarely condone the wearing of elite badges, it is questionable at best. Per the Chinese Naval Attache, though this is not official and there is no special badge for submariners, it could be a private presentation. Topped by the Red Chinese star symbol, rolling waves define the horizontal segments. On the reverse are Chinese ideograms which mean as the included English-PRC NAVY. (CHI-2?) COL-I 34

2.55" x 1.20" 35

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World Current Submarine Badge is a German 209 Class submarine in gold metal with the Colombian Naval arms on the side tank under the conning tower, instead of the sharks of the older badge, this one use bottle-nosed dolphins. Gold badge is worn by all ranks. Of interest is that the same submarine used here is also used on the Ecuadorian Submarine Badge (qv). (COL-2)

Denmark S0vaernet

COL-2

2.55" x 1.20"

Current Submarine Badge in cloth to be worn on working uniforms. In gold, blue, red and white thread on gold background. (COL-2c)

Denmark's first submarine, Dykkeren, was a Fiat design, built in La Spezia in 1909. Between 1911 and 1914 a new Havmanden (A) Class was introduced. 3 were built by Whitehead in Fiume and 3 in Copenhagen. These were followed by 5 Aegir (B) Class boats in 1917, shortly followed by 3 Rota (C) Class. Two small classes, Daphne and new Havmanden, followed these. After WWII, 4 Delfinen Class boats were constructed in Copenhagen. These were replaced in the 1980s by 2 Narvhalen Class boats, Narvhalen and Nordkaperen, based on the German 205 Class but built in Denmark and 3 Kobben (Tumleren) Class boats, Tumleren, Saelen and Springeren. These are all SSK Coastal boats and comprise the current Danish Submarine Force. The Danish Submarine Badge can be worn by all personnel who have taken the Submarine Course and have served 5 months aboard submarines. It becomes a permanent for all personnel who have served at least three years in submarine service regardless of subsequent assignment.

COL-2c

During the late 1960s, the Danish Submarine Service, coming into contact with other NATO submariners with badges, decided they should have one of their own. This badge is the one they designed. In gold bullion, two bottle nose dolphins urinant, supporting with their tails a circled foul anchor, Danish royal crown surmounting on a navy blue backing. Dating from c 1971, it was worn unofficially by Danish submariners on the right breast by all ranks. (DEN1)

2.80" x 1.0"

DEN-l

3.30" x 1.45"

Miniature of the current badge is authorized for the dress uniform. It is approximately half size. (COL-2m)

The current Danish Submarine Badge, in gold bullion, was officially authorized in 1973. It is worn on the right breast by all ranks. It contains basically the same elements as the one above, but the supporting dolphins are hauriant and there is no circle around the anchor. Embroidered on a navy blue wool 2.85" X 2.85" background. The dolphins and anchor are slightly larger. In the Danish Navy bullion badges are primary, metal secondary. (DEN-2) COL-2m

36

1.62" x .58"

DEN-2

37

2.15" x 2.00"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World The previous design, in metal, issued unofficially c 1988. The Royal crown is pierced and the badge is attached by a horizontal pin back. (DEN·2mev)

Ecuador Armada de Guerra

The applique on the Ecuadorian Submarine Badge is from the arms of Ecuador. It uses the Andean condor encircled by an oval torse, all in dull silver metal. DEN·2mev

The Ecuadorian Navy only lately commissioned submarines into its fleet. It has 2 German 209 (Shyri) Class (Type 1300), Shyri and Huancavilca. Except for some high speed missile boats, they are the main strength of the Ecuadorian Navy. These boats dating from 1977 are based at Guayaquil.

.85" x .85"

The Ecuadorian Submarine Badge (Insignia de submarinistas, Naval Ecuadoriana) is a large German 209 Class submarine in gold atop a wreath formed by two oak boughs, with the pewter condor from the National arms appliqued below the sail at center of the hull. The same badge is worn by both officers and enlisted men. It comes in four varieties, whose only differences are the dull silver star applique±s on the bow. The stars, if normal convention is followed, represent five cruises each. Thus, ECU-l is less than 5 cruises, ECU-2 is less than 10 cruises ECU-3 is les~ than 15 cruises and ECU-4 is 15 or more cruises. It is worn on the left breast. Interestingly, the submarine portion of the badge is the same as the current Colombian Submarine Badge (qv.)

In the case of the official metal version, which is for wear on the right breast of the sweater or shirt sleeve order, the crown is unpierced and the badge is attached by clutch pins. (DEN·2me)

DEN·2me

38

ECU-3

2.80" x 1.30"

ECU-4

2.80" x 1.30"

ECU-3

2.80" x 1.30"

ECU·4

2.80" x 1.30"

.85" x .85"

39

Egypt The same badge again but smaller is supposedly the qualified crewmember's Submarine Badge. It is about one third smaller. Documentation is very spotty on Egyptian Badges. (EGY-3)

Egypt

EGY-3

2.20" x .70"

Picture, drawn from a description, shows what is supposed to be a Chief Petty Officer's Submarine Badge. The depicted submarine is the same size as EGY-2 but with the added circle. (EGY-4)

Egypt's early submarine force started soon after WWII with battle weary U.S. and British submarines. In 1956, after the nationalization of the Suez Canal, Egypt aligned with the Soviet Union, who transferred 10 older Whiskey types to the Egyptian Navy. Six of these were transferred back to the USSR and were replaced by Romeos. Anwar Sadat closed Egypt to the Soviets in 1972 and these boats fell in ill repair due to a lack of parts and maintenance. Between 1982 and 86, orders were tendered to Spain for their Galerna Class copy of the French Agosta, but funds were unavailable and 6 Romeos were acquired from China, who was interested in tweaking Libya's (and thereby the Soviet Union's) nose. Currently, the Egyptian Submarine Force consists of 6 Romeos with 2 German 209 Class on order and some 2 man Swimmer Delivery Vehicles of Italian design.

EGY-4

The Egyptian Arms found on the Submariner's badge. Shows a Eagle of Saladin, displayed, the colors of the national f1ag.on a shield on the breast and clutching a banner with the names of the states in Arabic. The colors are not shown on the badges. Purported to be the Commanding Officer's Submarine Badge, this piece is a cliche construction stylized gold submarine with the Eagle of Saladin national arms on the conning tower and side tanks in silver. Pinback. (EGY-l)

EGY-5? EGY-l

3.10" x .80"

EGY-6?

3.10" x .90"

If we know a little about the badges with the national arms, these two badges are really an enigma. Said to be issued c 1950 on the establishment of the Egyptian Submarine Service. They are in gold/officers (EGY-5?) and silver/enlisted (EGY-6?). They appear to have Arabic numbers on the side tanks. Slightly different in their finish and stamping, they are made by the same company. Communication with the manufacturer (Bichay, Cairo) elicited that they were not sure of their authorization or even their provenance.

3.10" x .95"

Purported to be the Egyptian Officer's Submarine Badge. It is slightly smaller than the above badge but is exactly the same in color and shape. (EGY-2)

EGY-2

40

2.55" x .85"

41

Finland

France

Suomen Merivoimat

Marine National

Logo of the Finnish Submarine Veteran's Association. Though Finland did not have submarines during WWI, she designed a class 'of boats based on the Imperial German Navy's VB-III Class of 1918. Ironically, the Finnish Class was used as the basis for two WWII Kriegsmarine U-Boats, the Type II coastal and the Type VII medium. Named the Festinate (a mythological Finnish evil water spirit) Class. Three of this class, Vetehinen, Vesihiisi and Tku- Turso plus two smaller types Vesikko (Mink) and Saukko (Otter) made up the WWII Finnish Submarine Flotilla (Sukellusvenelaivue). Used against the Soviet Union in the Gulf of Finland, these boats did a yeoman's job. During the Winter War of 1939-40, submarine operations were limited due to the heavy ice, but mines were laid close to the Soviet occupied Estonian coast. Though a 400 ton merchant ship was sunk in July of 1941 by Vesikko, bad torpedoes from Italy limited the luck of the other boats. The boats were moved to the Aland area in 1942 on anti-submarine patrol to secure the sea lanes to Sweden. At least three Soviet submarines were sunk, one by the current head of the Submarine's Veteran Society, Erik Helenius, boat, Tku Turso. In 1944 the eastern portion of the Gulf of Finland was the patrol center, but only mining operations were done. The 1947 Treaty of Paris banned Finland's use of submarines, so all were scrapped except the Vesikko, which the Submarine Veterans use as a museum.

The earliest boat built for the French Navy was Plonguer, launched in 1863. It had a compressed air engine and was more of a curiosity than a weapon. Two all electric types, Gymnote and Gustave Ze±de±, were quite successful in the development of hydroplanes, conning towers and periscopes, but the requirement to return to base to recharge batteries was a very large disadvantage. It was followed by Narval, powered by steam and electricity, in 1899, and followed closely by Nai"ade in 1904, employing gasoline and electricity. The first practical working submarine using diesel-electric propulsion was the Z (Q-36) also built in 1904. At the beginning of World War 1,79 submarines were on the Navy's lists of which 39 were in service. Due to poor torpedoes and lack of targets, the French submarine effort during the war was not particularly effective. Between the wars the French operated 10 German subs received as war reparations and at least 7 French sub classes were built using these boats as models. A famous submarine of this period was the giant Surcouf, which carried two 8 inch guns and a recon aircraft. World War II saw some 7 French submarines, captured in various British ports, handed over to the Free-French. These, along with captured Italian and loaned British boats, had the Free French Submarine Force numbering 20 boats at the end ofWWII. The new Narval Class, based on a war reparations U-Boat (U-2518), a type XXI, was very successful and 6 were built. After these, 4 Are±thuse, 9 Daphne± and 4 of the Agosta Class were built. 5 SSBNs of the Le Redoutable Class and 1 SSBN of the L'Inflexible Class followed these, as well as 2 classes of SSNs, Rubis and Amethyste. Currently on the Naval lists are a total of 18 boats, 5 L'Inflexible Class (SSBN), 6 Rubis Class (SSN), 4 Agosta Class (SSK) and 3 Daphne Class (SSK).

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Though the Finns had no submariner's distinctive for wear on their uniforms during WWII, they did wear the badge below in mufti. The badge (FIN-I) is currently worn by members of the Finnish Submarine Veterans Association. SuvLv is an abbreviation of Sukellusvenelaivue, or Submarine Flotilla. It is in goldish copper, circled, the port side of a submarine on three sets of waves. It is small, only .60" in diameter.

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FR-I FR-2 From prior to World War II junior ratings wore the above specialist badges if they served in submarines. The one on the left (FR-I) is in red embroidery on medium blue for seamen and on the right (FR-2) in gold bullion on dark navy for POs, Used until cl961. They could be ranked as elementary and advanced for enlisted personnel. Not worn by officers. Worn on upper left sleeve,

FIN-I 42

43

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

France

The following badges, all made by DRAGO, are a departure from most French distinctives as they have a clutch-pin attachment and not the standard loop and bar so often found. Advanced Submariner (certificate superieur). Authorized in 1946 for officers. This particular older badge can be identified by the step in the sail. Enlisted personnel wore the above cloth badges. Sword blade and compass rose are in silver metal, hilt and the submarine in gold. Worn on right breast. (FR-3)

Advanced Submarine Badge (certificat superieur). Basically the same as the original badge but without the step in the sail. Sword blade and compass rose in silver. Hilt and submarine in gold. An officer's badge. Worn on right breast. (FR-6)

FR-6

FR-3

2.15" x 1.95"

Basic Submariner (certificat elementaire). Confusion exists as to the date of issuance. One official source ci tes 1946, another 1961. This was worn by both officers and enlisted personnel. This too has the step in the sail. The compass rose is silver metal, the submarine in gold. Worn on right breast. (FR-4)

Basic Submarine Badge (certificat elementaire). Simply the old basic badge but mounted on a large compass rose. Submarine is in gold, and all else in silver. An officer's and warrant's badge. Worn on right breast. (FR-7)

FR-4

FR-5

2.15" x 1.95"

2.15" x 1.95"

2.20" x 1.20"

In 1974 a new class of badges was issued. This new one is the Command Qualified Officer's Submarine Badge. (Lorsque les officers sont designe comme commandants de sous-marine). Worn by qualified Sub Commanders. Notice that there is no step in the sail. The sword blades and compass rose are in silver, the submarine and hilts in gold. Worn on right breast. (FR-5)

44

FR-7

2.15" x 1.95"

Personnel Officer's and Enlisted Submarine Badge. (etre titulaire du certificat d aptitude ala navigation sous-marine : personnel oficer et personnel equipage). Ring in silver, submarine in gold. Worn on right breast. (FR-8) FR-8

45

2.10" x 1.00"

Germany

Kriegsmarine

Kaiserliche Marine

Germany was the premier operator of submarines in two World Wars mostly due to the fact that she was fighting an island nation in both of them. A nation dependent on her merchant marine is terribly vulnerable to underwater warfare. The first partially workable submarine made in Germany was the Brandtaucher, designed by Wilhelm Bauer. Completed in December 1850, it sunk due to structural failure on its second trial. It was raised and was placed in the Dresden Museum. The first successful submarine was designed by Raymondo d'Equivilley-Monjustin, a Spanish engineer, and built by Krupps. Forelle (Trout) passed her trials and impressed both the German and Imperial Russian Naval observers to the point that the Russians bought her and placed an order for three more. The Germany Navy ordered one which became the V-I. Germany foresaw the possibilities of underwater warfare and started a large building program, having 20 boats ready and 15 building at the beginning ofWWI. Since much has already been written about this, suffice to say that the V-Boats were quite successful in this war. At the end of the war there were 179 V-Boats in service and another 150 building. All of these boats were either broken up or given to various Allies. Stripped of her V-Boat fleet, Germany quietly started a design office in the Netherlands, working on designs for Finland and Spain. This gave Germany a head start in V-Boat building during the 1935 rearmament. At the beginning of WWII Nazi Germany had only 57 V-Boats in commission, only 39 of which were first line boats. This grew to a total of 1,190 built during the war. Again, the successful waging of an underwater war is well beyond the scope of this book, though one must point out that it was done with the loss of over 70% of the crews. The Bundesmarine was organized in the early 1950s. The submarine force was created by raising the V-2365 and refurbishing and recomissioning it the Hai (Shark). This was followed by doing the same for another raised V-Boat, Hecht (Pike). Since the 1960s, the Bundesmarine has designed a set of V-Boats from 210 Class to 212 Class which have been quite successful both in the Bundesmarine and in foreign sales (mostly 209 Class boats). At the present time, the Bundesmarine operates 20 boats, with 4 212 Types building and 3 projected. On the active list are 6 Type 206 (SSK), 12 Type 206a (SSK) and 2 Type 205 (SSA).

The V-Boat War Badge, Imperial Navy (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Kaiserliche Marine) was belatedly instituted by the Kaiser in January 1918 to recognize the importance of the submarine personnel's efforts in waging the war. It was awarded to both German and Austro-Hungarian (qv) submariners. This badge is unique in that it was worn in addition to the later Kriegsmarine variety during wwn, while all other WWI German badges were replaced by a later Nazi version. It is a tall-masted WWI submarine sailing sinister surrounded by a wrapped oval wreath surmounted by a Hohenzollern crown. In gold metal it is worn on or below the left pocket. (GER1)

GER-l

GER-2

1.75" x 1.50"

1.95" x 1.55"

GER-2vl

1.50" x 1.50"

The V-Boat War Badge (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Kriegsmarine) was instituted in October, 1939, and was modeled after the Kaiser's version except the submariner is more modern, the wreath is not wrapped, and the Hohenzollern crown replaced by the Nazi eagle. The badge on the left (GER-2) is an early version, bronze and curved to the shape of the chest. It was made by Schwerin. The middle badge (GER-2vl) is slightly later, slightly different sub and flat. Manufactured by Frank & Reif in brass. Both have a wide vertical pin. The one on the right (GER-2v2) is in brass, cruder, has a thinner pin and was made in Lorient later in the war. Toward the end of the war, these badges were made in pot metal, and there are even some cliche versions with a gold wash. This badge is not a qualification badge, since it was awarded for (1) A particularly successful mission, (2) Completed 2 combat missions, (3) Won a bravery award on a mission, (4) To be wounded on a mission, or (5) To family, with Citation, if boat was lost to enemy action at sea. The V-Boat War Badge with Diamonds (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen mit Brillanten, Kriegsmarine) was awarded to certain high scoring holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. It was only awarded 28 times. This was not a government or Reich award, but was purely from the Commander of the Navy. There are 12 diamonds in the wreath, 13 in the swastika. This is a street wear version, the diamonds here are rhinestones. Made by Schwerin, Berlin. (GER-2v3)

1.95" x 1.90"

GER-2v3

46

47

1.90" x 1.55"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Germany

The German Navy also issued a cloth, semi bullion, working uniform variety of the U-Boat War Badge (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Kriegsmarine). This was made in BeVo (Beteiligung Vorsteger). This process weaves the badge on a Jacquard loom. In thin gold metallic thread on medium dark blue attached to a black silk backing. These were issued in long rolls and then cut for each individual. (GER-2c)

GER-2c

2.0"

X

The Combat Badges of the Small Battle Units (KampJabzeichen Der KleinkampJmittel) were issued to special naval units formed in Autumn 194~. These units consisted of frogmen, one-man torpedoes and midget submarines (hence their inclusion in these pages). These four badg~s, In .cloth for enl~sted men, bullion for officers, were worn on the right upper arm. This badge, without the circling rope, was the formatIOn sIgn of the umt worn after 2 months service with the formation, was devised in 1944. After the fourth award, a metal clasp was worn for subsequent awards. The backgrounds of the cloth 3.05"in diameter, the bullion, 3.80". The rope circle, cloth 1.70", bullion 2.05", the sawfish, cloth 2.20", bullion 2.90", and the swords, cloth 2.85", bullion 3.40".

1.60"

The German Navy also authorized officers and Petty Officers who held the metal U-Boat War Badge (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Kriegsmarine) to wear a heavy bullion version. This version was not an issue item, but was procured from various private sources. This example is in heavy gold bullion thread on a navy blue wool backing, the details picked out in black silk thread. (GER-2b) GER-5b

GER-5c

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units: I st Class (Bullion) (GER-5b)

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units: I st Class (Cloth) (GER-5c) GER-2b

2.10"

X

1.70"

Introduced in May 1944, the U-Boat Combat Clasp in Bronze (VBoots Frontspange im Bronze) was for continuous active service and acts of bravery in submarines. This was to bring Navy awards in line with the Army and Air Force. It is worn above the left pocket or medal bar. (GER-3)

GER-3

2.90"

X

.95"

Introduced in November 1944, the U-Boat Combat Clasp in Silver

(V-Boots Frontspange im Silber) was awarded for even greater

GER-6b

GER-6c

efforts than the Bronze. Worn above the left pocket or medal bar. A gold version was contemplated but was never issued. (GER-4) GER-4

48

2.90"

X

.95"

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units: 2nd Class (Bullion) (GER-6b)

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units: 2nd Class (Cloth) (GER-6c)

49

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Germany Combat Badges of the Small Battle Units (Kampjabzeichen Der Kleinkampjmittel) for more than 5 missions were struck in metal and worn above the left breast pocket or medal bar. These probably were never issued during the war, but during the denazification of badges in 1957 it was restruck for wear by qualified personnel. (GER-9, 10, 11)

GER-9

2.95" x .90" Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units 5th Class in Bronze (5 missions or more)

GER-7c

GER-7b

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units: 3rd Class (Cloth) (GER-7c)

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units: 3rd Class (Bullion) (GER-7b)

GER-10

2.95" x .90"

GER-11

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units 6th Class in Silver (7 missions or more)

GER-7c

GER-7c

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units: 4th Class (Bullion) (GER-8b)

Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units: 4th Class (Cloth) (GER-8c)

50

2.95" x .90" Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units 7th Class in Gilt (10 missions or more)

GER-12 Formation sign of the Small Battle Groups. Worn after 2 months of duty with the unit. It is the same size as the previously pictured cloth badges 5f

Germany

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World The U-Boat War Badge (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Kriegsmarine) was de-nazified in 1957, so those who qualified in WWII could wear it on their current uniforms. The eagle and swastika were removed and three grades are available, Gold (GER-13), Silver (GER-14x) and Bronze (GER-15x). According to German sources, only the gold version is official. Silver and bronze have no official meaning or standing, and usually the miniature is worn (qv).

Worn in the lapel by veterans or by serving personnel while in mufti, these miniatures have a long stick pin attachment and are in gold type metals. From the top: Imperial U- Boat War Badge (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Kaiserliche Marine) (GER-lm); U-Boat War Badge, Kriegsmarine (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Kriegsmarine) (GER-2m); and the de-nazified version of the above (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Bundesmarine) (GER-13m). These are all approximately .70" X .55"

GER-lm

GER-2m

GER-13m

The Achievement Badge for Shipyard Workers (Werftleistungsabzeichen) (GER-19) was introduced in 1944 by the U-Boat crews to recognize the efforts of the shipfitters and technicians that serviced their boats at their home bases. It depicts a UBoat sailing through a gear wheel in bronze metal. Stick pin back.

GER-13

1.90" x .50"

GER-14x

1.90" x .50"

GER-15x

1.90" x .50"

The U-Boat Combat Clasp (V-Boots Frontspange im Bronze/Silber) was also denazified in 1957 so those who qualified could wear it on their uniforms. In bronze (GER-16) and silver (GER-17) GER-19

1.20" x .85"

U-Boat Propaganda Badge (GER-20). A silver metal representation of a U-Boat in profile with the legend "DENN WIR FAHREN GEGEN ENGELLAND" "Then We're Sailing Against England". Along the saddle tanks, a line from a poem called Matrosenlied (Sailor's Song) (1923) by Herman Lans.

GER-16

2.95" x .90"

GER-17

GER-18

In 1957, the Federal Republic of Germany's Bundesmarine renewed its interest in submarines. Occupation badges for enlisted submarine personnel (Tiitigkeitsabzeichen, Vbootpersonal) were issued in 1966. These were in the form of trade badges worn on both upper sleeves by seamen and on the left lower sleeve by petty officers They came in four versions depending on the uniform. Red on blue (GER-21w), red on white (GER-21s), gold. on white-very rare (GER-21sv) . Background is .85" in diameter, boat is .65" X .30".

GER-21w

1.90" x .55"

52

2.00" x .60"

Bundesmarine

2.95" x .90"

The U-Boat Veteran's Pin. is a version of the denazified U-Boat War Badge (V-Boots Kriegsabzeichen, Kriegsmarine) with a black enamel Iron Cross appliqued at the center of the wreath above the submarine. This badge is the official badge of the U-Boat Veterans' Association. (GER-18)

GER-20

GER-21s

53

GER-21sv

Germany

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World Completing the set is the variant (GER-21wk), worn on coveralls and working rig. It is in gold thread on a square olive drab backing measuring .95" X .95" and the boat is .65" by .30".

Other sew-on versions of the basic (GER-22) badge are the bullion on white wool dress white uniform (GER-22bs), yellow thread on white duck for the summer white uniform (GER-22cs), yellow thread on dark blue wool for winter (GER-22cw) and a yellow thread on OD cloth for working uniforms (GER-22wk)

GER-22bs

3.30" x 1.30"

GER-22cs

3.30" x 1.30"

GER-22bs

3.30" x 1.30"

GER-22cs

3.30" x 1.30"

GER-21w

On

7

April

1972,

these

submariner's

badges

(Ubootjahrerabzeichen) appeared. These three are in gold bullion on navy blue wool The plain badge for all ranks (GER-22bw). The version with the star above for Commanding Officers (GER-23bw) is from 1987, and a circled star is now in use (GER-23bwv). It depicts a 206 class submarine It is worn on the right breast.

3.30" x 1.30"

GER-22bw

Circle: .75"D

Star: .90" x .90"

Called the 206 badge, this semi-official version of the Submariner's Badge (Ubootjahrerabzeichen) (GER-22me) appeared in 1981. It is in shiny gilt metal and attached by a pin on the reverse. Another version of this badge has a more detailed submarine, and on some the submarine is lower on the wreath.

GER-22me

2.40" x 1.35"

The shape of the official authorized version of the Submariner's Badge (Ubootfahrer-abzeichen) (GER-24), issued in 1984, follows the standard conventions of current GFR badges. Depicting a 206 class sub on a pebbled background, it is of heavy cliche construction, gilt metal with c1utchback attachment. GER-23bw

GER-21bwv

3.30" x 1.30"

54

GER-24

3.30" x 1.30"

55

2.95" x 1.00"

Greece

India

Hellenic Navy

The Greek Navy's submarine Delphin (Dolphin) was the first modern submarine to fire a torpedo in combat during the First Balkan War. Commanded by Lieutenant Commander E. Paparrigopoulis, she fired her torpedoes at the Turkish cruiser Mejidieh in the Dardenelles, 9 December 1912. He failed to sink her, but he opened the modern submarine age. Currently, the Greeks operate Glavkos Class Submarines (209 Types 1100 & !200) (SSK). Glavkos, Nereus, Triton, Proteus, Posydon, Amphitrite, Okeanos and Pontos. All built at Howaldtswerke, Keil. This drawing from 1945 U.S. Navy Intelligence files shows a gold submarine, starboard side. Worn by all qualified personnel on the left breast. The date of issue is unknown. (GRK-l)

The Indian Navy, the largest in the unaligned Third World, initiated their Submarine Force in 1967 with the first of the Kalvari (Foxtrot) class submarines built new. It has increased considerably since that time with German, Russian and Indian built submarines. Submarine operations during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war were not too successful as the Pakistani Navy rarely left port. Currently, the Indian Navy has 18 patrol submarines in service, 4 Shishumar (209)( 1500) SSKs, 8 Kilos and 6 Foxtrots. The national emblem ofIndia (above) that appears on the submarine badge is an adaptation from the Pillar of Sarnath, the capital of the Great Emperor Ashoka. The emblem shows three of the four lions on the pillar (the forth hidden behind). Below the lions is the Chakra (The Wheel), with a galloping horse on the left and a bull on the right. The emblem is referred to as the Ashoka in common parlance. This is the only authorized Indian Submarine Badge. In gold metal, it displays an Ashoka above the waves, supported by two dolphins in the American manner. It is worn by all qualified submarine personnel, officers and enlisted. By two different manufacturers, (IND-l) is not as detailed as (IND-lv). There are no known official bullion or cloth versions, but they probably do exist. These are made in gold anodized aluminum (IND-l) or brass (IND-lv), and have a bent clip attachment (IND-l) or a safety pin (IND-lv).

GRK-l Current officer's and petty officer's version of the Greek Submariner's Badge (GRK-2) in gold metal. Worn on the left breast, it is attached with nut and screw posts.

2.60" x .40"

GRK-2

Bullion version of the current officer/petty officer submarine badge. (GRK-2b) Worn on the left breast.

2.90" x .50"

GRK-2b

IND-l

2.80" x .90"

IND-lv

2.80" x .90"

These two badges appear to be official but are not. The bullion version on the left (IND-2x), though very nice, is a fake based on the British or Australian badge which appeared much later. Ironically, it is probably made in Pakistan. The one on the right (IND-3x) is made on the same dies as the authentic version above but in silver metal. There is no authorization for a silver Submarine Badge in the Indian Navy.

OfficerlPetty Officer submarine badge (GRK-2m) in miniature. Attached with clutchpins.

GRK-2m

1.70" x .25"

Seaman's version of the submariner's badge (GRK-3). In silver, it is the same as the above miniature. This badge is supposedly obsolete now. GRK-3

1.70" x .25"

IND-2x

56

3.25" x 2.15"

IND-3x

57

2.80" x .90"

Indonesia

Indonesia Tentra Nasional Indonesia Angkatav

Under the Sukarno regime Indonesia-as a Soviet client state---operated as many as 14 ex-Soviet Whiskeys out of the large submarine base at Jogjakarta. After the fall of Sukarno in 1967, the Indonesian Navy started divesting themselves of Soviet equipment and turned to western technology. Reportedly, the last Whiskey was stricken from the naval lists in 1990. Though it may still be used for training, dive is limited to 100 feet. The Indonesian Navy now operates 2 Cakra Class (209 type 1300)(SSK), the Cakra and Nanggala. There are 2 more of this class projected. Early version of the Indonesian Submarine Badge (INO-l), It shows the starboard side of a submarine appliqued over two diving sharks. Probably designed by Indonesian officers attending school in Poland and first manufactured by Alfred Ditburner in 1960.

INO-l

3.05" x 1.00"

INO-2vl

This version is in bas relief, sandcasted in brass (INO-2vl). As the previous example it uses a safety pin for attachment. These badges are worn by all qualified personnel regardless of rank. Since many of these are made in dockside machine shops or a variety of private suppliers there are about as many variants as there are badges. Quality and size of these badges runs the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime, depending on the maker.

INO-2v2

3.11" x 1.08"

Another variant of the "Golden Shark" badge (INO-2v2). It differs sl ightly in detail but is of heavier construction and appears to be die stamped. Safety pin attachment.

Cloth working version of the badge (INO-2e) on a cotton background for wear on coveralls and fatigues. A neater version on an 3.53" X 1.70" olive drab background with merrowed edges (INO-2vl) is a more professionally made variant. Another version of the cloth badge is the shaped variant on a merrowed dark blue backing (INO-2ev2). Other colors and backgrounds exist.

3.22" x 1.57"

The later Indonesian Submarine badge or as it is officially known, the Brevet of the "Hiu Kencana" (Golden Shark) comes with this heraldic description. Two facing sharks defending a submarine. The submarine is combat ready and submerging. One periscope is in readiness and alerting (sic) the sea areas of the Indonesian Unity. The seven waves represent the seven seas. "When the Golden Shark is pinned on the left breast it means the patriotic Spirit and Dignity of the Indonesian are rooted deeply in the heart of each crewmember of the crew." (Extract, Supplement (2) Order of the Ministry, Navy Commander, November 8, 1964 No. 5030.l3.)The original; translation of the above rendered Hiu Kencana as Pearl Shark but this was corrected to Golden Shark by the Naval Attache of the Indonesian Embassy.

3.15" x 1.00"

INO-2e

One version of the "Brevet of the Golden Shark" (INO-2) is in flat brass metal with the design incised in the surface. These badges were usually made up for the wearer on board or in the shore facility workshops when they qualified.

INO-2

58

2.80" x 1.00"

INO-2evl

2.95" x .87"

INO-2ev2

59

3.00" x .96"

Iran

Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran Imperial Iranian Navy

In 1975 an agreement between the United States and the Shah of Iran was made for supplying submarines and training for a large Iranian Naval Submarine Force. By August 1978, a number of crewmembers had been trained and the first of the American boats, the USS Trout SS 566, becoming Kusseh (Shark), was transferred to the Imperial Iranian Navy at Groton, Connecticut. Kusseh remained in the United States for training subsequent crewmembers. Two other boats were also prepared for transfer, Nahang (Whale), ex USS Wahoo SS 565, and Dolfin (Dolphin), USS Tang SS 563. These were all advanced Guppy types. In December 1978, due to changes in the government of Iran, it was requested that another buyer for the Kusseh be found and the transfer of two other boats be terminated. At the same time there was an order with Howaldtswerke, Kiel, for 6 209 Type 1500 submarines, but this was canceled in early 1979. Though the Imperial Iranian Navy had submarine badges, there never were any submarines that sailed with it. Under the current Islamic regime, 9 or more Italian and North Korean midget submarines are based at Bandar Abbas on the Gulf of Hormuz, as well as 2 fairly modern Kilos (Taureg and Noor) operating with Indian Navy technical help.

The arms of the Islamic Republic of Iran. On the flag and as a military symbol it is rendered in red but is rendered in green when used elsewhere. This makes the blue version on the lower badge an interesting variant.

2.55" x .90"

IRN-4

2.55" x .90"

IRN-3

The Islamic Republic of Iran issued the above Submarine Badges, made in the Soviet Union by the Leningrad Mint. They show a small submarine with Iran's Islamic symbol in red enamel enclosed by a gear wheel, with anchor flukes below. Gold for officers (IRN-3), silver for enlisted personnel (IRN-4). A variant, below (IRN-3v) probably made by Pobeda, Moscow, has a blue enamel Islamic symbol on a white enamel background. They all have a screw post attachment. IRN-l

2.80" x 1.10"

IRN-2

2.80" x 1.10"

While the Iranian crews were training in the United States, they had Balfour design a submarine badge for them. Based on the U. S. Navy design, there are two dorados supporting an Albacore type submarine, bows on with the Pahlevi crown above the sail. It is a very fine example of the manufacturer's art. In gold plated silver for officers (IRN-l) and in silver for enlisted personnel (IRN-2), the badge has a c1utchpin attachment. There are miniature mess dress versions of this badge. It is the author's unproven conjecture that this badge was originally designed as a test badge for a nuclear age replacement of the old fleet boat on the U.S.N. submarine badge. To have an atomic sub on a small third world country's badge was a little delusional even for the Shah.

2.55" x .90"

IRN-3v

60

61

Israel

Italy Regina Marina

Israel's Submarine Force started in 1958 with 2 obsolete British types, but refitting took until 1960. Currently, Israel is operating 3 Gal Class (British made [Vickers], German designed 206 coastal SS boats), and 3 new Dolphin class (German designed 209 SSKs) from German yards are due for delivery soon. When Israel established its Submarine Service in 1958 it purportedly issued badges similar to the current variety. An example of this badge cannot be found as yet if it did, indeed, exist.

Italy's first submarine was a design by Engineer Lieutenant Giacinto Pullino and was commissioned in 1895. Named the Delfino (Dolphin), it was originally powered only by batteries, but later incorporated a gasoline engine. It also has two vertical propellers to aid in submerging and surfacing. Surprisingly, this sub served in a rebuilt condition through WWI. Many further classes subsequently were built, and Italy enjoyed a reputation in submarine technology and sold submarines worldwide. Germany, Great Britain and even the United States placed orders prior to WWI. Germany did not receive hers (due to WWI), and neither the U.S. or Great Britain enjoyed much success with theirs. At the beginning of WWI Italy had 21 aging submarines in her inventory, so both a stepped up production was ordered and foreign designs were bought. 8 U.S. Electric Boat "H" Class were delivered in 19] 6/17 and 3 "s" and 4 "w" Class were purchased in Great Britain. Domestic production added another 40 boats to the Submarine Force, which mainly operated against Austria-Hungary in the Aegean Sea.

ISR-1

3.20"

X

1.40"

ISR-2

2.60"

X

1.40"

The Israeli Submarine Badge (ISR-1), issued in 1960, shows a rather realistic submarine with the symbolic Israeli Military short sword and olive branch (here on an Navy anchor) adorning the side tanks and conning tower. The one on the right, with the star atop, designates Senior Submariner (ISR-2) was never worn as the below badge came out before qualification time accumulated. They are in silver metal and have a single screw post attachment though some have been reported to have clutch pins.

Heavy production was the order during the 1930s, and at the opening of WWII 115 boats were in commission and 30 more were completed before the end of the war. Italian boats operated out of Bordeaux and Lorient in the Atlantic, but were not really designed for oceanic warfare. Many boats were used as transports for Germany's African operations when the British gained the upper hand in the Mediterranean, and the longer ranged ones brought supplies from the Far East. Italian miniature submarines were probably more successful than any other country during WWII and accounted for more than one capital ship. At the end of WWII, Italy gave up all her submarines as reparations, but actually only the Soviet Union took any, with the rest (less three saved for training) being scrapped. In 1954 the United States started transferring 7 rebuilt fleet submarines (Guppys) to the Marina Militare and added two more Guppy IIIs in 1977. In 1967 the Italian shipbuilding started building the small Toti Class boats and the larger Sauro Class. At present, the Marina Militare's Submarine Force is comprised of 9 boats, 4 Sauro Class, 4 improved Sauro Class and I Toti Class. Italy is also the leading manufacturer of miniature submarines and swimmer and commando delivery vehicles.

ISR-3

2.90"

X

1.15"

ISR-4

2.90"

X

The current Israeli Submarine Badge (ISR-3), authorized in 1961, shows a more stylized modern submarine. Worn after complete submarine qualification (see ISR-3m below), 3 years service makes it permanent. It has the same symbol on the side tanks and conning tower as above. The one on the left has the area around the anchor flukes and stock pierced while the one on the right is solid. This is a manufacturer's difference. Senior Submariner (ISR-4), is designated by a star and a double wreath around the conning tower and requires 10 years in submarine service. Depending upon manufacturer, there is a screw post or clutchback attachment. Made in silver metal. Worn with a blue shaped plastic backing or red if wearer has experienced combat submarine action. Gold versions of this badge are made but not authorized. Designed by Art Professor A. Schwarz.

ITL-1

ISR3m

ITL-2 In 194] the Regia Marina instituted the Submarine Honor badge (Distintivo d'onore) which was granted for Ii fe. Gold for officers (one excellent source indicates gold for all ranks from 194] and silver never standardized) (ITL-3) and silver for enlisted personnel (ITL-4?) until the end of the war and then gold for all ranks. It is surmounted by the Savoy crown and is granted after 5 years of submarine service. Remained till the fall of the monarchy in ] 946. However the requirement dropped to 3 months for World War II combat duty. The size of both is 1.00" X 1.45"

Miniature versions of the Israeli Submariner Badges. They have safety pin type attachments ISR-3m is worn after 3 or 4 months Basic Sub training. ISR-4m is a sweetheart pin. Both are 1.55" long, ISR-4m is .80" high ISR-3 is .70" high.

ISR-4m

The Regia Marina Submarine Service Badge was authorized for wear above or in place of the medal bar on the left breast in ]924. Gold for Officers (Ufficiali Imbarcati su Sommergibili) (ITL-1), left and silver for Petty Officers (Imbarcati su Sommergibili) (ITL-2) right, Surmounted by the Savoy crown, these badges were worn only while in submarine service. They were authorized for wear on all but working uniforms. Pin back or screw post attachment. This type badge is now designated (Distintivo di Appartenenza). Both are .60" X .90"

1.50"

ITL-3

62

ITL-4?

63

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Italy

Regina Marina/R.S.1.

Showing a basking shark above a torpedo on an anchor with a line catenaried around the outside, the Badge for War Navigation, Submarines (Distintivo D' Onore Per Lunga Navigazione In Guerra, Sommergibili) was awarded in three classes. Bronze for 18 months on board or 1000 hours at sea (ITL-9), Silver for 30 months on board or 3000 hours at sea (ITL-I0) and Gold for 48 months on board or 5000 hours at sea (ITL-ll). Combat time counted 4 to I thus I hour or year equaled 4 hours or years. This badge is still authorized for wear on the lower left breast by those who qualified during WWII and can still be qualified for today. Size of all, 1.91" X 1.60".

The enlisted Submarine Service Badge (Personale Imbarcato su Sommergibili) in silver metal is worn on the left sleeve, slightly above the rank badges, of the "square rig" uniform. These three examples from WWII were worn by both the personnel of the RM and RSI. The one on the left is pierced cliche± construction with a brushed finish and two holes for basting to the uniform (ITL-5). The center one is the same except in polished metal (ITL-5vl). The one on the right is solid, with a dark blue enamel background and has a pin back (ITL5v2). It is a WWII era version. Dating from 1918 as a badge for petty officers and then for lower ranks in 1924 when petty officers switched to the smaller silver Service badge. This badge is still current and as the previous ones designates current submarine service. All of these badges are 1.86" in diameter. The receiving of the Honors badge by a seaman does not abrogate the wearing of this badge on the uniform as well. It was temporarily suspended in December 1939 and replaced by the officer's badge, then reinstated in March 1941.

ITL-ll

ITL-5

ITL-5vl

ITL-5v2

ITL-I0

A drawing of a badge (Tercio Etranjero) struck for the crews of the Italian submarines that fought on the Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War. According to veterans of that campaign, most did not receive one, though there is an example in the museum in La Spezia. Appliqued on the port side of a submarine., a vertical halberd, crossed by a harquebus pointing up and an early crossbow pointing down with a royal crown at the juncture. It is the distinctive of the Spanish (Foreign) Legion and can be found on other Spanish volunteer badges of the period. Gold for officers and pas, worn on left breast, red for seamen, worn on left sleeve.

The Regia Marina version of the Badge for War Navigation, Submarines, was the original design incorporating the Savoy crown. The Savoy crown in the design was removed at the fall of the monarchy in 1946 and has nothing to do with the RSI. The version worn in the current Marina Militare is crown less as the ones above. Bronze (ITL-12), Silver (ITL-13) and Gold (ITL-14). This badge follows the same conventions as the above for issue. Size of all, 1.91" X 1.95". According to the manufacturer, neither of the two versions of this badge was actually struck until 1947.

ITL-6

2.75" Wide

In 1943 after the capitulation of Italy, the military in the north formed the R.S.1. (Repubblica Sociale Italiana.) R.S.I submarines operated out of Bordeaux and other Axis bases. The badges were the same as the RM but the Savoy crown was removed, usually filed off. Qualifications were the same as the RM. At this time almost all RSI Officers (ITL-7) and pas (ITL-8?), had been granted the Honor badge so few, if any Service badges were issued. Both are I" in diameter. Some pictures of this period show this badge being worn on the right breast by some officer personnel. ITL-8?

ITL-7

64

ITL-14

ITL-12

65

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Italy

The Divisione Atlantica badge (ITL-15) was worn by that part of the Regia Marina and later the R.S.1. that was based at Bordeaux or other Axis Atlantic bases. Veterans remember that they wore this badge basted on their sleeves while they were operating submarines, although later, under the R.S.I., most of the Italian crews and support personnel were formed into an infantry unit using this badge.

Marina Militare Official version of the Traditional (name changed from Honor) Submariner's Badge (ITL-20), issued in 1946. This change lasted until 1990. In gold, it is basically the same as the RSI Submariner Badge, but with medium blue enamel in incised lettering. The badge is of cliche± manufacture with a pin attachment. Other badges of this variety are solid with a incised legend and no colors in the engraving, or the legend is raised according to the manufacturer. It is 1.00" in diameter.

Also in 1946, the Service Badge (ITL-21) was issued less the crown. It is about half the Traditional badge's size. The surface is flat, without a wreath and has a pin back attachment. This badge also lasted unti I 1990. This badge is .68" in diameter ITL-20

ITL-15

In 1946, when the Armed Forces of Italy changed to the Mural crown, some of the Traditional (name changed from Honor) Submariner's Badges (ITL-22?) were struck with the Mural crown above the legend. Official records tend to ignore this badge so it may have been a "test badge" only and was probably never worn.

1.95" x 3.05"

ITL-21 This badge was designed to commemorate Germany-Italian (R.S.I.) cooperation after the surrender of Italy. It was to honor the remaining Italian submariners that remained in Bordeaux. According to veterans it was never issued. The badge shown may be a restrike on the original dies. (ITL-16)

ITL-22? Worn above the left pocket and medal bar, this badge commemorates the Naval Assault Units of the Tenth MAS (Motobarca Anti Sommergibili). NSI (ITL-17) is included since midget submarines were organic to this outfit. Called "Chariots" by the British, these midgets were called "Pigs" by their crews. Officially, the two man machine was called Siluro a Lenta Corsa (slow running torpedo). In gold with a red enamel "X" at top, it is pin attached .

ITL-17

ITL-16

1.05" x 1.40"

.85" x 2.55"

.85" x 2.55"

ITL-5v3

Submarine Service Commemorative Badges. The left one is for Atlantic Service in RSMC Argo (ITL-18). It is in gold with dark lettering and a red enamel "A". The right one is for Atlantic Submarine Service (ITL-19).1t has the legend "Sommergibili" and a red enamel "A". Both badges incorporate the Savoy crown and were for service in the Regia Marina. Both are .60" X .90". ITL-18

66

ITL-19

1.86" Diameter

ITL-5WP

2.75" Diameter

The current Service Badge (ITL-5v3) on the left, for lower ranks. It is the same as the older types except it is in chrome-plated metal and the incised lettering is in aquamarine enamel. As before this badge is worn on the left sleeve of the "square rig" uniform. It is of pierced construction with a pin back attachment. On the right, a cloth and plastic Service Badge (ITL-5wp) that is worn on the left sleeve of the fatigue or working uniform. It was authorized in 1990. Notice that the dolphin points in the opposite direction and the badge is in color on a round blue cloth background with a wreath instead of a circle.

67

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World In 1990, to celebrate the Centennial year of the Submarine Service the Marina Militare adopted the Roman Naval crown (originally designed by Emperor Claudius) to surmount the current Honors (name changed back from Traditional) Submarine Badge. Shown are two variants, each with a different style Roman Naval Crown. In gold metal, the left (ITL-23) has a pin back, the right (ITL-23v) clutch pins. Both are 1.00" X 1.30".

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force

ITL-23v

ITL-23

The current Service Badges are the same as the Honors Badges except that they are almost half the size. Both are in gold and worn by both officers and petty officers and have the new Roman Naval crown surmounting. As above, only the crowns differ. The left (ITL-24) has a screw post, the right (ITL-24v), a clutch pin. Both are .55" X .65".

Japan bought her first submarines-five Holland boats-from the United States in 1905. These were shortly followed by home manufactured boats made by Kawasaki under contract from Holland in 1906. Japan had a rather large fleet of submarines during WWII which were used more tactically than strategically, so they never were the threat that Germany's U-Boat operations were. Shorn of her fleet at the end ofWWII, the Japanese Maritime Defense Force, established in 1954, started Japan's new Submarine force with American Guppy type submarines. Currently building to their own designs, the MSDF's Submarine Force consists of 18 boats, 6 Harushio Class (SSK), 10 Yuushio Class (SSK) and 2 Uzushio Class (SSA). There are 2 more improved Harushio Class boats on the way.

This is the Imperial Japanese Submarine Graduation Badge (JPN-1) for enlisted personnel. It depicts an old Holland boat in silver metal appliqued on either an acid browned or brown fused glass enamel Sakura (Cherry Blossom). The Sakura has always been the symbol of the Japanese Navy. The badge was purported to be only loaned to the recipient and was to be returned. These were all collected prior to WWII for security's sake and no badges or distinctives were worn by Imperial Navy submarine crews, officers or enlisted men during the war.

ITL-24v

ITL-24

JPN-1

1.48"

X

1.41"

Produced during the early 50s, the "long" version of the Japanese Maritime Defense Force Submarine Badge (JPN-2) owes a lot to the U.S. "Dolphins." It depicts two dolphins supporting an anchor with a Sakura on the anchor stock. The gold version, worn above the left pocket, is for officers.

JPN-2

2.72"

X

.92"

ITL-25? This badge is purported to be for students at Submarine Service School (ITL-25?). It is a ship's wheel, in gold, with the legend "SOMMERGIBILI" incised on the upper arc. Screw post attachment. Diameter at the end of the spokes is 1.10". According to Admiral Ranieri, former Commandant of the school, there was no specific insignia ever issued and this badge probably was initiated by some manufacturer.

68

In silver metal, this Japanese Maritime Defense Force Submarine Badge (JPN-3) is for enlisted personnel. The same as the officer's except in color, the sea at the bottom is rather stylish. Most badges of this era had horizontal pin attachments, though some have been seen with clutchpins. JPN-3

69

2.72"

X

.92"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World Cloth version of the officer's badge (JPN-2c). It is embroidered in gold (yellow thread) on a navy blue rectangular background with a merrowed edge. Space was left below the insignia for the wearer's name. The background measures 3.80" X 1.85". Though both cloth versions are of the earlier badge, they are currently worn.

Korea (South)

South Korea primarily relies on her surface forces for its naval arm. It started its Submarine Forces with midget submarines, of which it has 11, used mainly for commando type operations. They have 3 Chang Bogo Class (209 Type 1500), SSKs, 3 more building at Daewoo. Midgets are 3 Tolgorae and 8 Cosmos Classes purchased from Italy.

3.05" x 1.15"

JPN-2c

The officer's version of the South Korean Submarine Badge (KOR-I) is in gold metal depicting two dolphins supporting a bows-on modern submarine. The circular bow is formed by the Korean Yin-Yang symbol, pierced anchor flukes below, barred sea and wake filling the area between the sub and fish. The Enlisted version (KOR-2) is the same except it is in silver. Both badges use clutch pin fastening. Versions also appear in mylar on wool as dress versions (KOR-Ip and KOR-2p). There are also bullion versions, but they probably are not government issue.

Cloth version of the enlisted badge (JPN-3c). It is embroidered in white thread on a navy blue rectangular background with a men'owed edge. Space was left below the insignia for the wearer's name.

JPN-3c

3.05" x LIS"

The current Japanese Maritime Defense Force Submarine Badge is sl ightly smaller. Called the "short" badge, it differs slightly in detail. The officer's gold badge (JPN-4) depicts the sea in a more realistic manner and it has an oxidized outlining

KOR-I

2.44" x .85"

KOR-2

2.44" x .85"

KOR-Ip

2.44" x .90"

KOR-2p

2.44" x .90"

2.40" x .85"

JPN-4

The silver version of the badge for enlisted personnel (JPN-5) is exactly the same as the officer's except in color. Below the anchor fluke appears to be a bows-on view of a modern submarine. It has a horizontal safety pin, but these also have been seen with clutchpins.

JPN-5

2.40" x .85"

It was thought that the above badges looked too much like the current Japanese (qv), so another version was authorized with the dolphins swimming downward and away and without the Yin-Yang symbol on the bow. In gold for officers (KOR-3) and silver for enlisted personnel (KOR-4). These have a double screw pin attachment. These badges were just issued in 1995.

Miniature version of the officer's badge (JPN-4m). It has a clutch pin attachment and measures 1.10" X .40". "

4iC~!:~>!i:~~?:?'f4¥it;'" KOR·5x

JPN-4m

70

2.77" x .83"

KOR·3

2.34" x .87"

KOR-4

An imaginative but bogus version of a South Korean Submarine Badge (KOR-5x). It is made from a regular set of USN enlisted "Dolphins" with the Yin-Yang Korean symbol in colored enamel appliqued on the bow. 71

2.34" x .87"

Netherlands

Libya

Koninlijke Marine

Libya's Submarine Force consists of 4 ex Soviet Foxtrots (AI Badr Class), Al Badr, Al Ahad, Al Mitraga, and Al Hunain, and 6 Mala type free flooding midget submarines. It began c 1976 with training under Soviet Naval Personnel. Rumors persist that Col. Khadafi is trying to purchase coastal boats from the Yugoslav Republic. This is the Libyan Submarine Badge (LIB-I). Thought to be worn by all qualified personnel, it was given to an Italian Admiral by the Libyan CNO before the current embargo between Libya and Western Europe.

The Netherlands' first submarine was the Luetar et Energa, built in a Dutch shipyard from plans purchased from the Electric Boat Co. in the U.S. It entered service in 1906. In the early years, the Royal Netherlands Navy purchased boats and designs from foreign firms until about 1914, when it designed two classes of boats of its own. The first was a short range coastal boat designated "Onderzeeboot" (0), and the second was a long range designated "Kolonial" (K). After 1936 all designations were "0". Dutch boats served in WWII in both the Atlantic and in the Far East. In 1960 the Zwaardvis Class was designed and considered the most efficient submarine of the 70s. Currently, the KM operates 4 improved Zwaardvis (Walrus) Class, Walrus, Zeeleeuw, Dalfin and Bruinvis, all built at Rotterdamse Droodok Mij, in Rotterdam. Two bottle-nosed dolphins naiant, in gold, supporting in their crossed tails a bows-on view of an "Albacore" type submarine in silver. Worn by all submarine crew members, commissioned or enlisted, the Netherlands Submarine Badge (NET-I) is arguably one of the best looking, if not the best looking of all submarine insignia. The Dutch established their submarine program in 1906, but a badge was not authorized until April 28, 1965. Metal version of the Netherlands Submarine Badge (NET-I). Worn by all qualified ranks. Clutchback pin attachment.

2.52"

LIB-I

X

.81"

This badge has had certain currency-at least in the United Statesas the Libyan Submarine Badge (LIB-2x), but it probably is the creation of a vivid imagination and is made in Pakistan. It is in gold bullion wire and has an unusual feature for a bullion badge in a safety pin attachment. NET-Ie

NET-I

2.45" x .90"

NET-Ie

2.45" x .90"

2.45" x .90"

Miniature version of the primary badge (NET-1m) that is worn by submarine trainees. These are not worn as part of a mess uniform.

Cloth version of the Netherlands Navy Submariner Badge (NETIc) worn on various working uniforms. There is a bullion version (NET-Ib) which isn't pictured here. The merrowed background is 2.95" X 1.12". 1.65"

LIB-2x 72

X

.75"

73

Norway Shown here is a silver version of the Norwegian Submariner's badge (NOR3?). It has absolutely no official standing but there are quite a few examples extant.

Norway Sjoforsvaret

Norway's first submarine was bought from Germany in 1908. Named the Kabben (later A-i), it was essentially the same as the German V-i. 3 larger submarines were ordered from Germany in 1911 and another in 1912, called the A-3 Class. A 4 boat B Class was designated to be built in Norwegian yards to Electric Boat Co. plans in 1915, but the last boat wasn't delivered until 1929. In 1940,6 boats were scuttled or abandoned rather than surrendering them to the invaders. B-5 and B-6 became VC-i and VC-2. B-i escaped to England. During WWII the Norwegian Navy operated 3 ex-Royal Navy boats, Vredd (sunk in 1943), VIa and Vtsira, and after the war 3 more exRN subs, Vtsein, Vtvaer and Vthang, were added to the fleet. These 5 served until the mid 60s. In the 50s, 5 modified 205 Class boats were ordered from Germany and designated 207 for their deeper operating depth. Named the Kobben Class, for the first boat in the service, nine were bought, 3 sold to Denmark, and all were modernized and upgraded. The present Submarine Force is comprised of 6 improved Kobben Class boats and 6 Ula Class (P-6071).

2.37" x .80"

NOR-3?

The Norwegian Qualified Submariner's Badge (NOR-Ib) in gold bullion for dress wear on the blue jacket. This badge comes in gold bullion only. A newer version of the badge is (NOR-Ibv), now being worn. A miniature of this badge exists (NOR-Ibm (1.56" X .64") not pictured here. There is no copper bullion equivalent authorized.

The Norwegian Submariner's badge was authorized in 1957. Originally it was accorded the status of a medal and was worn on the left breast. Now, as a qualification badge it is worn on the right breast as is the Norwegian military custom. As U.S. submariners call their badge "Dolphins", Norwegian submariners refer to their badge as "Cods." On the left is the Norwegian Qualified Submariner's Badge (NOR-I) in gold metal. It is worn by qualified submariners of all ranks. On the right is the Norwegian Submarine Trainee's Badge (NOR-2) in copper metal designating a submariner in training.

2.32" x 1.00"

NOR-Ib

2.17" x .92"

NOR-lbv

This bullion version (NOR-lbx), though most faithful to the original metal, is completely bogus.

NOR-l

2.37" x .80"

NOR-2

2.37" x .80"

Cloth version for fatigue wear exists, but no examples are present for illustration. The metal versions are hallmarked OTTAR HVAL, though there may be other manufacturing sources. 2.80" x 1.00"

NOR-lbx

74

75

Pakistan

Pakistan

PAK-3 Pakistan's Submarine Force dates from the early 1970s when Agosta class submarines were bought from France, then backed up by French Daphne class subs, one of which was purchased from Portugal. Submarines were used in combat in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, though their efficacy is unknown. Pakistan also has a sizable midget submarine project, which in time of war is operated by the Naval Special Service Group (U.S. Navy SEAL equivalent.). Currently, the Pakistani Submarine Force consists of 2 Hashmat Class (Agosta), Hashmat and Hurmat, 1 more building, and 4 Hangor Class (Daphne), Hangar, Shushuk, Mangro and Ghazi. It also has 3 Cosmos midgets. The Pakistani Submarine badge comes in a brassy gold version for officers (PAK-l) and a silver version for enlisted personnel (PAK-2). They depict a modern-hulled submarine with a double wreath appliqued around the center. The wreath is topped off by the crescent and star emblem of Islam. The badge is worn with the bottom of the hull parallel to the top of the left breast pocket, which puts the wreath at a slight angle. Long clutch pin attachment. Bullion versions of the metal badges (PAK-lb, PAK-2b) are pictured below. The shape of the submarine has a square bow and the placing of the Islamic symbol is slightly different.

PAK-l

2.60"

X

LIS"

PAK-2

2.60"

X

2.82"

X

1.78"

PAK-3v

As the WWII German Small Battle Groups were both frogmen and operators of the miniature submarines, so do the Pakistani Naval Special Service Groups operate miniature subs in the time of war. This badge (PAK-3) in bas relief shows the port side of a submarine, a vertical sword on the conning tower and the double wreath closed by a star and crescent. It is made of cast brass and is attached with metal loops and pin.

X

1.20"

PAK-2b

76

2.60"

X

1.94"

This version of the previous SSG badge (PAK-3v) is the same except that it is in incised flat brass. This may be a plaque piece instead of a badge. Both were made in Rawalpindi in 1995. There is no accommodation for attachment on the back.

PAK-3b

2.90"

X

1.86"

PAK-3cw

2.88"

X

1.75"

LIS"

2.88"

X

1.75"

Winter uniform version of the SSG badge (PAK-3cw) for enlisted personnel In red thread on navy blue wool backing, it is worn on the left sleeve.

Summer uniform version of the SSG badge (PAK-3cs) for enlisted personnel. In navy blue thread on white duck backing, it is worn on the left sleeve. 2.60"

X

Another version of the SSG badge but in bullion thread. (PAK-3b) It is essentially the same as the metal version except that the blade of the upright sword is in silver bullion.

PAK-3cs

PAK-lb

3.10"

1.20" 77

Peru

Poland

Marina De Guerra

Marynarita Wojenna

The Peruvian Navy was one of the first small country navies in South America to acquire submarines. In 1913 they had on their lists 2 French-built Laubeuf boats. These were replaced in 1926 by 4 small subs built by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut. These served through WWII and were replaced by 4 Abato (Mackerel) Class (built by EBC), 1954-57. Following these were 2 ex-U.S. Guppys, La Pedrera and La Pachocha (lost at sea). The current Submarine Force now lists no Guppys, 2 of the Abato Class boats, Abato and Dos de Mayo, and 6 Casma (209 Type 1200) Class, Casma, Antofagasta, Pisagua, Chipana, [slay, and Arica.

The Polish Navy was established in 1918 and got her first submarines in 1926-3 French minelayers of the Saphir Class. These were called the Wilk Class and were used until 1935. 2 boats of the Orzel Class were built in the Netherlands and purchased in 1935. All five boats were on patrol in the Baltic when Poland surrendered, and 3 were interned in Sweden for the duration. Orzel and Wilk made it to Britain. Orzel was sunk in 1940 and the Polish Navy in exile got one U.S. "s" Class and 2 British "u" Class, Jastrab, Sokol and Dzik. These were returned to Great Britain at the end of the war. In 1950, the USSR supplied the Polish Navy with 3 Whiskeys Class submarines which served for a long time. Currently, 3 boats are in commission, I Kilo, Orzel and 2 Foxtrots, Wilk and Dzik.

Modified National arms of Peru appliqued on the Submariner's badge. Dexter chief quarter is in red with a yellow llama, sinister chief quarter is white with a green cinchona tree, and base is white with a yellow cornucopia, all separated and framed by thin gold edging.

I

'..

The Polish Submarine Badge was introduced in 1964. It was designed by Mariusz Ditberner, who also manufactures the cliche version of the badge. The device at center is a stylized version of the Polish Naval Eagle. A solid version of the badge is manufactured by the Polish government mint. Both types are worn. Gold version of the Submarine Badge (POL-I) is worn by those qualified as Commanding Officers. Screw post attachment. Worn on the right.

From 1926 until 1949 the distinctive used by Peruvian submariners were the U.S. Navy "Dolphins" (qv). Gold metal for officers and cloth, sleeve worn for enlisted men. In 1949 Peru adopted their own design. The Peruvian Submarine Badge (Insignia de Submarinistas - Armada de Peru) depicts a 1940s (U.S. Mackerel Class) type submarine. Below the conning tower, centered, are the National arms of Peru with two dolphins as supporters. The arms are in colored enamels. In gold metal for officers (PER-I), and silver for warrants and enlisted men (PER-2). These badges are of hollow-back construction and have clutch pin attachments. POL-l

2.70" x .76"

Silver version of the Submarine Badge (POL-2) is worn by commissioned officers.

POL-2

2.88" x .95"

PER-l

Copper version of the Submarine Badge (POL-3) is worn by enlisted personnel.

2.88" x .95"

PER-2

. The Peruvian Submarine Badge (Insignia de Submarinistas - Armada de Peru) in miniature is the same as the full size variety except it is 2/5 size. The arms are in colored enamels. In gold metal for officers (PER-1m), and silver for warrants and enlisted men (PER-2m). These badges are also of hollow back construction and have clutch-pin attachments.

2.70" x .76"

POL-3

2.70" x .76"

Commemorative pin of the WWII submarine Orzel (Eagle) (POL4). Shows the starboard side of the submarine and the Polish Naval ensign.

PER-1m

1.43" x .48"

78

POL-4

PER-2m 79

1.48" x .45"

Portugal In 1920 the depicted submarine and sailing direction changed. This badge (POR-3) also has the Portuguese National Arms above the periscope shears. Manufactured in gold metal, it was worn by all ranks on the left breast from 1920 to 1925 when the seaman's version changed to embroidered cloth.

Portugal Marinha Portuguesa POR-3 Very little is known about the early submarine forces of the Marinha Portuguesa. The earliest boat, Espadarte, was commissioned in 1912, so it would appear that it started about then. Jane's Warships shows that at the end of WWI, the Submarine Force consisted of 4 submarines, 3 Foca Class, Foca, Golfinho and Hidra, all built by Laurenti-Fiat, La Spezia, Italy (1916-1917), and the old single class boat Espadarte. This elderly quartet was replaced in 1935 by 3 single class submarines, Delfim, Espadarte and Golfinho, starting the renaming of new boats for the old ones they replaced. These boats were manufactured at the Armstrong-Vickers yards. These remained through WWII and beyond. In 1948,3 "s" boats were obtained from Great Britain, Narval, Nautilo and Neptuno. Currently, the Portuguese Navy operates 3 Albacora Class Submarines, Albacora, Barracuda and Delfim (SSKs). These are all French Daphne Class submarines modified to Portuguese specifications.

In 1925, the Seaman's Badge changed to colored cloth embroidery. Red on navy blue wool for wear on the winter uniform (POR-4cw) and blue on white duck for the summer uniform (POR-4cs). Worn on the left sleeve. In 1936 the PO's and Seaman's version of the 1920/ 25 badge changed again. The National arms were removed from above the periscope shears. The Officer's Badge retained the arms and their badge remained the same until 1960.

·e:

•

Some of the National arms of Portugal appear encircled by a gold wreath, while others are in the style pictured here. When in color, the armillary in the background is gold, the band around the shield is red with gold castles, the shield is white with five blue small shields crossed, each with five white circles on them. Current military versions have a green and red background behind the armillary in the colors of the National flag.

Rendering of the original Portuguese Submarine Badge (POR-I) issued in 1915. For Officers and POs it is manufactured in gold metal. Worn on right breast.

The Seaman's version of the 1915 Submariner's Badge (POR-2). It is in red thread embroidery. Backing to suit the uniform. Worn on left sleeve.

POR-I

POR-2

80

POR-4cw

POR-4cs

In 1960 the submarine changed again to a more modern design. Gold and enamel arms with an added wreath were placed above the shears on the officer's version (POR-5). Worn on right breast. Pinback attachment.

POR-5 81

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Portugal

The petty officer's version also changed in 1960. It is the same as the officer's version except for the Portuguese arms above the periscope shears. Two versions of the badge exist (POR-6 and POR-6v). Current wisdom places the latter as the earlier version. Worn on the right breast above the pocket or medal bar with a pinback attachment.

The last change to the Portuguese Submariner's Badge was made in 1961 when the Arms were appliqued on the conning tower of the Officer's version (pOR-8 and POR-8v). Worn on the right breast with a pinback attachment. There is a miniature version of both of these badges. As in the PO's version, the variant is considered the earlier.

POR-6

2.57" x .97"

POR-6v

2.57" x .97"

The Seaman's version also changed to the new design in 1960, red silk embroidery on dark navy for the winter uniform (POR-7cw), navy blue silk on white duck for the summer uniform (POR-7cs). These have been seen coming in sets with the bows pointing both ways as to be worn on both sleeves. There are reports of a sleeker, more modern submarine representation on this badge, but no example is available at this time. The backgrounds are 4.05" X 2.25".

POR-7cw

2.50" x 1.00"

POR-7cs 82

2.50" x 1.00"

POR-8

2.57" x .97"

POR-8v

2.57" x .97"

Bullion versions of both the Officer (POR-8b) and Petty Officer (POR-6b) Submarine Badges. The Petty Officer version is in gold metal thread, while the officer's has the Portuguese arms in bullion and colored silk.

POR-8b

2.62" x .90"

POR-6b

83

2.62" x .90"

Romania

Saudi Arabia

Marina Romana

Royal Saudi Naval Forces

The Royal Romanian Navy purchased their first submarine from Italy. Built in 1931 in the Italian occupied Quarnare Yards at Fiume, it wasn't accepted until 1936. Commissioned the Delfinul (Dolphin), it was heavily damaged in World War II, though whether in combat or by Allied bombing is unknown. 2 more Romanian-constructed boats built to a German design, Rechinul and Marsuinul, were added in 1943. They remained in service until 1961. In 1957, Romania started to receive the first of 11 submarines from the USSR, probably Whiskys. Strangely, Romania returned all the submarines in 1962 and was without any until 1986 when it acquired a Kilo from the Soviet Union. This boat is named Delfinul, the same as the first submarine taken into the fleet.

Saudi Arabia operates Italian miniature submarines and swimmer delivery vehicles, and they struck a badge for that military specialty. At present they are in negotiation with Germany among others to obtain coastal submarines. Submarine training is currently being done in France and Pakistan.

The Saudi Submarine Badge (SAU-I) is worn on the left breast by all qualified personnel. It is in solid gilt metal with a clutch pin attachment. The badge has two dorado type dolphins supporting a silver anchor, atop of which are the crossed scimitars and palm tree arms of Saudi Arabia, three lightning bolts on either upper side, and topped by the Saudi royal crown.

The Royal Romanian Submarine Badge (ROM-I) dates from c 1935 and owes a lot to the Italian badges (qv). About the same size, it is in gold, wreathed over the bottom arc, with the legend "SVBMARINE" in the upper arc. The "Plevna Crown" surmounting was made from iron cannons captured at Plevna and worn by the Hohenzollern rulers of Romania. It measures .87" X 1.42".

ROM-I This rendering taken from a picture graciously sent to the author by Lt. Commander Maitland Thornton, RN (Ret.), is purported to be the current Romanian Submarine Badge (ROM-2?). It came with a provenance by a British Naval Attache in Bucharest from an officer of the Marinei Militare stating that this is the current submarine badge. Gold for officers, silver for petty officers and grey metal for seamen. Worn on the left side of the uniform, it has a screw post attachment. However, one point worries me. Though not exactly the same as the Slovakian Army hat badge, it is so close as to be a very slight variant of it. The shield on the eagle's chest bears the Slovakian Arms, the three peaks of the Tatra mountains with the Apostolic Cross at center. The colors are also the Slovakian colors, not the Romanian. Romania's arms are a variant of the Hohenzollern arms on an eagle's chest or the later People's Republic's circular arms showing forests, mountains, or an oil derrick, all with the rising sun behind flanked by skeins of wheat tied at the bottom by a Romanian flag with "ROMANIA" across the bottom and a red star on top.

SAU-I

2.93" x 1.74"

ROM-2?

84

85

South Africa A miniature of the current badge (SAF-2tt) does exist, but it is of doubtful authorization. It is more likely made as a sweetheart or tie pin.

South Africa

SAF-2tt

.78" x .52"

With the commissioning of South Africa's first submarine, SAS Maria Van Riebeeck, a French designed Daphne class boat in 1970, the Submarine Flotilla (Duikbootflottiewe) began. Its strength was increased by two sister ships, SAS Johanna Van Der Merwe and SAS Emily Hobhouse, in 1971. All RSA submarines are named for early heroic women. The first Submarine Badge was issued to Cmdr. (later Adm.) J.A.C. Weidemann on 16 January, 1970. The first version of the South African Submariner's Badge (Duikbootwapen) (SAF-l) was authorized in January 1970. This is the light, hollow back variant. There is also a heavy, hollow back, and a solid variant to this badge. From the front side they appear the same. Worn on the left breast by all qualified personnel until 1974. Has clutch pin attachments. These two cloth badges (SAF-2wk and SAF-2wkv) are prototype badges for wear on working uniforms and coveralls. At the time of writing they had not been accepted officially. They are printed on two types of dungaree cloth. This practice is fairly common on other working versions of South African badges. The background ovals are 3.13" X 2.57".

SAF-l

2.58" x .63"

Though this variant of the Submariner's Badge (Duikbootwapen) (SAF-lv?) was obtained from inside South Africa, it is definitely not an authorized version, vigorously pointed out by South African Naval authorities. Heavy metal with clutch pins. Both badges represent Daphne Type boats.

SAF-lv?

2.70" x .79"

The current version of the Submariner's Badge (Duikbootwapen) (SAF-2) dates from October, 1974. A gold, more detailed version of the Daphne boat is appliqued over a silver double wreathed trident. Comes in two parts. Worn by all qualified submariners on the left breast. Has clutch pin attachments.

SAF-2wk

SAF-3

86

SAF-2wkv

2.38" x 1.58"

2.32" x 1.56"

87

2.38" x 1.58"

Soviet Union/Russia This rather interesting variation of the Senior (Flotilla) Submarine Commander's Badge (RUS-3vx) was made for the wardrobe department of the movie "The Hunt For Red October". A good copy, it is in cast gold metal with clutch pin attachments. In the Red Navy only Senior Commanders wear this badge. In the movie almost everybody wore this badge.

Soviet Union/Russia Imperial Russian Navy RUS-3vx

2.66" x .88"

Even a short history of the Soviet/Russian Submarine Services would be too long for inclusion here. There are a great many good books on this subject. Suffice to say at this writing they had 39 SSGNS, 19 SSGs, 51 SSNs 46 SS & SSANs and 13 SSAs-a total of 168 operative submarines The Imperial Russian Naval Officer's Submarine Graduation badge (3HaKeH 3a OKOHQaHHe IIo~Bo~Horo OHu;epCKHXKJIaCcoB) is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of submarine badges. Made by a St. Petersburg jeweler from sterling silver, this badge dates from January 26, 1909, to just after the Communist October Revolution in 1917. Worn on the right breast and attached by a screw and nut arrangement. (RUS-I)

Excellent Submariner's Badge (OTJIHQnhlH IIo~Bo~HHK) (RUS4) dates from 1942 and was awarded for exemplary submarine service during World War II. It is in reddish gold metal with a gold hammer and sickle above center on a transparent red enamel base, bordered by a white enamel circle with the Cyrillic lettering for Excellent Submariner below a gold submarine. Worn on the right breast and attached by a screw and nut. This example was manufactured by Pobeda, Moscow, and is in heavy cliche.

RUS-4 RUS-I

1.50" x 1.77"

1.63" Dia.

Red Navy

RUS-2

2.66" x .88"

RUS-3

Excellent Topedoman Badge (OTJIH'mhlH TopnH~HcT) (RUS-5) dates from 1942 and was awarded for exemplary service as a torpedo and mine operator during World War II. It is in reddish gold metal with a gold hammer and sickle above center on a transparent red enamel base, bordered by a white enamel circle with the Cyrillic lettering for Excellent Torpedoman below a gold torpedo and mine. Worn on the right breast and attached by a screw and nut This example was also manufactured by Pobeda, Moscow, and is in heavy cliche.

2.66" x .88"

The Submarine Commander's Badge (KoMaH~Hp IIo~o~HoH JIO~KH), (RUS-2) on left, is in silver with an enameled red star at the center. Authorized in 1943, the badge is still current. It is in cliche, and this example was manufactured by Pobeda, Moscow. Notice that the areas between the periscopes and below the guns are cut out. On the right is the Senior Submarine or Flotilla Commander's Badge, (RUS-3) cl987. It is the same except in gold metal. This particular badge is not open between the scopes or below the guns and was manufactured in cliche by the Leningrad Mint. Both are worn on the right breast attached by a screw and nut. Prior to this badge, in 1942, a gilded brass version with a hammer and sickle above the star was issued, but was shortly replaced by this badge.

RUS-5

88

1.50" x 1.77"

89

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Soviet Union/Russia

Red Navy/Russian Navy

Long Voyage Badge for Submarine Personnel (3a ,UaJlhH"" nOXOA (RUS-I0) from 1961. In some examples, the particular individual's vessel's name was hung from the bottom as a pendant. Worn on the right breast. AJla JIe1.fHOrO COCTBa nOABOAHhIX JIOAOK)

1000 Dive Distinctive for Submariner Commanders (RUS-6). A gold submarine with" 1000" on the ballast tank., behind the Red Naval ensign in red, white and blue enamel. Screwback and worn on right.

RUS-6

RUS-I0

1.64" x .64"

Distinctive for 15 Years of Submarine Service. (RUS-7) A silver submarine, "15" on the ballast tank, gold leaf below and Red Naval ensign above and behind in red, white and blue enamel. Screwback and worn on right.

1.42" x 1.05"

Long Voyage Badge for Submarine Personnel (3a ,UaJlhHIH1 nOxOA AJla JIe'lHoro COCTB3 (RUS-H) replaced the above badge in 1976. There are no known examples with pendants. Both examples show the Soviet Naval Ensign, and the legend "For a Long Voyage" in Cyrillic. Worn on right breast. nOABOAHhlX JIOAOK)

RUS-7

1.42" x .64"

RUS-H

Though unauthorized, this "engine room" Enlisted Submariner's badge (RUS-8) deserves a place in these pages. A black submarine across a rising sun with a green banner and legend below, "SUBMARINER", and below that on red, "USSR", both in Cyrillic. Behind the Red Naval ensign all outlined in copper metal. Pinback.

Service Badge, Russian Navy Submarine Forces (RUS-12). It shows both the Soviet and Russian Naval Ensigns with a Submarine Commander's Badge across center. "Ha naMHTh OCJlY)K6e" means in English "In Memory of Service."

RUS-12 RUS-8

1.23" x 1.61"

1.53" x 1.25"

1.91" x 1.53"

The Veteran Submariner's Badge (RUS-9) is one of the first badges from the new Russian Navy. It distinguishes the veterans from both the Red and Current Navies. A dark silver submarine on a gold chain-encircled gold and blue globe with a banner across lower center stating "VETERAN SUBMARINER" in gold Cyrillic on black. Behind both Russian and Red Naval Ensigns in red, white and blue enamel. Screwback.

Commemorative badge, Northern Submarine Fleet, Russian Navy. (RUS-B) Shows an anchor chain around the globe with portside view of a nuclear submarine and the legend reads "Northern Submarine Fleet" in Cyrillic.

RUS-9

90

1.52" x 1.55"

RUS-13 9/

1.37" x 1.77"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Soviet Union/Russia Commemorative, 60 years, 4th Submarine Squadron, Polar (RUS14). It shows both the Soviet and Russian Naval Ensigns above a bows-on submarine, and a round badge with two crossed anchors behind.

Soviet Union and Russian Submarine Commemorative Badges

Soviet commemorative badges are probably the most plentiful of all the submarine badges extant. Actually, at the time of this book's publication, there are probably in excess of 1000 of these badges. Some are official and can be worn on the uniform, and some are not. The subject is so broad as to require a book in itself. Pictured here are just a few examples culled from a much larger group. To help the reader in figuring out some they may have, the following words and common abbreviations may be of some help. Remember that Russian has endings for various cases and declensions, singular and plural, so they may not be exactly the same as those below. JIeT IIo):\Bo):\HuK IIo):\Bo):\Hua JIO):\Ka JIeHuHCKU" KOMCOMOJI

Years Submariner Submarine Lenin Comsomol (name of a submarine)

cDIIJI

cDJIOTUJIUa IIO):\BO):\HbIX JIO):\OK

RUS-14

1.45" x 1.52"

Another 4th Squadron badge. This shows the starboard side of a submarine with both the Russian Naval Ensign and "4th Squadron" in Cyrillic. (RUS-15) Nut and post attachment and cliche construction by the Leningrad Mint. RUS-15

2.42" x .67"

Submarine Flotilla BJIKCM

BceCOI03UbIU JIeHuHcKuU KOMMyHuCTUqeBCKU" COIOC MOJIo):\e:lKu

Commemorative, Conquest of the Arctic Latitudes. (RUS-16) Shows a Soviet Naval Ensign above an appliqued gold submarine on the globe with "Conquest of the Arctic Latitudes" in Cyrillic.

All Union Leninist Communist Youth League (Lenin Komsomol) BBMYilil

Bbicmee BoeHHo-MopcKoe YquJIu~e IIo):\Bo):\Horo IIJIaBaHuH

Higher Naval Submariner's College BBMIIY

Bbicmee BoeHHo-MopcKoe IIoJIuTuqecKoe YquJIu~e

Higher Naval Political College KBBMY

KaCUUHCKoe Bbicmee BoeHHo-MopcKoe YquJIu~e

Caspian Higher Naval College YOilil

Yqe6HbIH OTpH):\ IIo):\Bo):\Horo IIJIaBaHua

Submarine Training Center AIIJI

AToMHaH IIo):\Bo):\HaBa JIo):\Ka

Atomic Submarine RUS-16 KCcD

1.17" x 2.29"

KpaCH03HaMeHHbIU CeBepbIu cDJIOT

Holder of the Order of the Red Banner Northern Fleet This pendant type badge states "Praise to Soviet Submariners". (RUS-17) It shows the Soviet Naval Ensign above a globe with a nuclear submarine on a blue-green sea. RUS-17

92

93

1.17" x 2.29"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Soviet Union/Russia

A commemorative issued to crews that have gone beneath the ice pack at the North Pole. "Conquest of the Arctic" in Cyrillic is written across the side tank. (RUS-18)

RUS-18

There are a great many Commemorative Badges for various submarines in the Soviet and Russian Navies. These are a few. The two on the left are for the Submarine Panther, which is a bit confusing as they show both current and Red ensigns, but one gives the dates 1916-1991 (RUS-22) and the other 1912-1922 (RUS-22v). The badge on the right is for the submarine Lenin Komsomol (RUS-23). The naval ensign is topped by a device with Lenin's head and the abbreviation "BJIKCM", standing for "All Union Leninist Communist Youth League" (Communist Youth League is shortened to Komsomol in Cyrillic hence the name). The "KC(J)" indicates Holder of the Order of the Red Banner Northern Fleet.

2.10" x .68"

A new Russian Navy commemorative for the submarine Kursk. Notice the new Russian Naval Ensign, the city arms of Kursk, topped by the old Russian Imperial crown in gold and the new Russian National flags flanking. (RUS-19)

RUS-22 1.17" x 1.01"

RUS-19

2.10" x .68"

RUS-22v 1.17" x 1.01"

RUS-23 1.26" x 2.07"

Three more Commemorative badges that are vessel specific. The one on the left is the Submarine Shuka, 1941-1945. (RUS-24) The badge in the middle is First Soviet, 20 Years, 1959-1979. (RUS-25). The one on the right is "CoetvtHeul1", which translates as "Unity" or "Union", 25 Years. (RUS-26)

This badge has a legend that states Veteran Submariner, 19181978. Shows a silver submarine across a globe with the USSP showing and encircled by a chain. (RUS-20)

RUS-20

1.56" x 1.60"

Commemorative that states in Cyrillic "Division of Underwater Boats." Shows basically the Sub Commanders badge (RUS-2) on an oval globe, enchained on an anchor. (RUS-21) RUS-21

94

1.52" x 2.02"

RUS-24 1.18" x 1.25"

RUS-25 1.17" x 1.67"

95

RUS-26 1.74" x 1.68"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

RUS-27 1.53" x 1.53"

RUS-28 1.50" x 1.72"

Spain Armada Espanola

RUS-29 2.62" x 1.26"

RUS-30 1.60" x 1.29"

The badges here are all commemoratives of Naval Schools, but for what is not specifically known. (RUS-27 -28 & -29) The Higher Naval Submariner's College,. abbreviated in Cyrilic BBMYllll, which stands for Bblcrnee BoeHHo-MopcKoe YquJutu.-e llOABoAHoro llJlaBaHua. The one on the lower right (RUS-30) is for The Higher Naval Political College, abbreviated "BBMllY", which stands for Bblcrnee BoeHHo-MopcKoe llOJlUTUqeCKOe YquJluu.-elO.

Spain's first submarine, Ellctineo, was designed by two marine engineers, Garcia and Monturiol, and was built in Barcelona in 1859. It was steam powered and had a cannon and an auger to bore holes in enemy ships. It made over 60 dives, but it never was excepted by the Spanish Navy. Another designed by Peral in 1888 was powered by batteries and had one torpedo tube. It also received little official recognition and passed undeveloped into history. The Navy's first working submarine, Isaac Peral, was a Holland design bought from the U.S. in ]916, designated B Type, with 6 improved Band C Types being built in country in the next ]4 years. In the same period Spain operated 3 Fiat Laurenti boats designated A Types. During the Civil War, all of these submarines came under Republican control, though the crews were by and large Nationalist. Rather unsuccessful, the Republican side lost 5 submarines, while the Nationalist, supported by Germany and Italy who supplied boats and crews (see Italy, ITL-6), lost none. At the end of the Civil War, the Submarine Forces maintained one "B" and two "Cs", along with an improvement named the D Type, 2 of whose construction had been delayed by the hostilities with another completed in 1952. These were followed by a Balao Class bo.at from the U.S. in 1959 and 4 Guppy lIs between 1972 and] 974. No more diesel electric boats being available from the U.S., the Spanish Navy obtained Daphne Class technology from France (4 boats built at Cartagena and renamed the Delfin Class) and 4 Agosta Class (renamed Galerna Class) also built in Spain. These 8 SSK submarines, Delfin, Tonina, Marsopa and Narval, of the Del fin Class and Galerna, Simco, Mistral and Tramontana, of the Galerna Class constitute Spain's current Submarine Force.

Issued on the 5th of September, 1919, the first Spanish Royal Navy Submariner's Badge (Distintivo de Submarinos) (SPN-1) came with one of two colors in the oval, red for qualified personnel and blue for those in training. Topped by the crown (Bourbon) of Alfonso XIII, which was sometimes attached and sometimes separate. Worn on the right chest by officers and petty officers, on the right sleeve by seamen, this badge was in use through] 931. Gilt cliche construction and pinback. Embroidered cloth versions exist.

WWII (Great Patriotic War) Naval Commorative, 1941-1945 (RUS-31), with four submarine plaquettes from that period. (a) Type K (K), (b) Type JI (L), (c) Type M (M) and (d) Type ill (Sha). The main badge is 1.68" X 1.93", The plaquettes are all 2.04" X .76". SPN-1

96

3.26" x 1.83"

97

Spain

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Miniature version of the specialty course badge (SPN-3m). Gilt cliche construction with a clip attachment

During the Second Republic, 1931-1939, the Submarine Badge (Distintivo de Submarinos) (SPN-2) was the same as under Alphonso XIII, except that the crown above the periscope shears was eliminated. Worn on the right breast by officers and petty officers and on the right sleeve by seamen. Gilt cliche construction and pin back.

SPN-3m SPN-2

1.35" x .56"

3.26" x 1.25"

After the Spanish Civil War in 1940, the shape of the Submariner's Badge (Distintivo de Submarinos) changed to a more modern submarine and was topped by the Franco regime Regent's Coronet. The oval enamel section became ajewel or stone.

Changed after the accession of Juan Carlos to the Spanish throne in 1975, the Submariner's Badge (Distintivo de Submarinos) had the coronet changed back to a version of the Bourbon crown of Alfonso XIII. The vents and an addition of a net cutter are different in some variants. Some versions omit the net cutter and have a slightly larger crown. Some red jeweled badges have red enamel in the crowns. Worn on right breast by officers and petty officers and on the right sleeve by seamen.

This variety, (SPN·3), with the red jewel at center designates those who have passed the specialty course in submarines. Worn in the manner of the older badges. Gilt cliche construction and a pinback attachment. Cloth and bullion versions exist.

These two examples of the early Juan Carlos era badges have the cable cutter on the front, but the one on the left, (SPN-6), has a plain gold Bourbon crown while the one on the right, (SPN·6vl), has a red enameled crown. Both of these have clutchback fasteners and are of cliche construction.

SPN·3

2.60" x .84"

This variety, (SPN-4), with the green jewel at center designates those who have passed the aptitude test in submarines. Worn in the manner of the older badges. Gilt cliche construction and a pinback attachment. Cloth and bullion versions exist.

SPN-6

SPN-4

2.60" x 1.00"

SPN·6vl

2.60" x .84"

This variety, (SPN-5), with the black stone at center designates those who have served at least two years in a submarine support billet. Worn in the manner of the older badges. Gilt cliche construction and a pinback attachment. Cloth and bullion versions exist.

SPN-5

Another variant, (SPN-6v2), that has no cable cutter but has the red enamel in the Bourbon crown. It is of cliche construction and attaches with a safety type pin with a bent pin in the crown. All three of these badges designate those who have passed the submarine specialty course. Cloth and bullion versions exist.

SPN·6v2

2.60" x .84" 98

2.60" x 1.00"

2.60" x 1.03" 99

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Spain

The same as the preceding badge but with a green jewel designating having passed the submarine aptitude test (SPN-7). It is of cliche construction and attaches with a safety type pin with a bent pin in the crown. Cloth and bullion versions exist.

The green jeweled version of the badge, (SPN-IO), is worn by those who have passed the submarine aptitude exam. Attached by three clutch pins. Cloth and bullion versions exist.

SPN-7

SPN·IO

2.60" x 1.03"

Also as the preceding badges but with a black stone designating at least 2 years in a submarine support billet (SPN-8). It is of cliche construction and attaches with a safety type pin with a bent pin in the crown. Cloth and bullion versions exist.

SPN-8

2.67"

X

1.17"

The black stone normally designates those who have held submarine staff or support billets for at least 2 years, but when the badges changed style in 1986 there was no authorization for this badge (SPN-llx). It is completely bogus.

2.60" x 1.03"

SPN-llx

Miniature ofthe red jewel version of the Submariner's badge. (SPN6m) It has a safety type pin and is of cliche construction. SPN-6m

2.67" x 1.17"

1.41" x .58"

The current Spanish Submarine badge (Distintivo de Submarinos) authorized in 1986, harks back to the original 1919 version. It is smaller and of solid gilt metal construction with a clutch pin fastener. The Juan Carlos version of the Bourbon crown is picked out in red enamel. It is worn on the right breast for officers and petty officers and on the right sleeve for seamen.

Though they are not official issue items, bullion versions of the two current badges can be bought privately and are worn on the current uniform (SPN-9b) and (SPN-IOb)

This version of the new style badge has a large red jewel, (SPN-9), and is worn by those who have passed the submarine specialty course. Attached by three clutch pins. Cloth and bullion versions exist. SPN-9

SPN-9b

2.67" x 1.17"

100

2.67" x 1.41"

SPN-IOb

101

2.67" x 1.41"

Sweden This variant of the bullion Submariner's badge, (SWD-2v?) is probably a badly researched fake rather than a true variant. The crown is wrong and there is a bit of extra embroidery at the bottom of the shield at the base of the trident that doesn't show on the other badges. It is also smaller. Black background measures 3.51" X 1.38".

Sweden Marinen

SWD-2v?

Though the first successful Swedish submarine was constructed in 1883 by T. Norderfelt, the Swedish Navy showed little interest and it was sold to Greece. The first submarine to be built for the Swedish Navy was the Hajen , built to Lake and Holland specs. in 1904. This was followed by the purchase of the Fiat-Laurenti type Hvalen from Italy in 1909.5 improved Hajen Class were built 1910-11, and 2 Laurenti type were built in 1914. At the end ofWWI, eight Salen boats were built based on German technology. Little can be found on construction during WWII, but Jane's lists Draken, Najad, Delfenen and Sjolejonet Classes, as well as UI-9, the German U-3503 raised after the war. Currently, the Swedish Navy operates 13, 12 Undervattensbatar (submarines), all SSKs, 4 Vastergotland Class (ViistergOtland, Hiilsingland, Sodermanland, and Ostergotland), 3 Na cken Class ( Niicken, Najad and Neptun), 5 Sjo ormen Class (Sjoormen, Sjobjonen, Sjohunden, SjOlejonet, and Sjohiisten) and one midget, Spiggen, used for ASW training.

3.00" x 1.11"

The gold metal version of the Swedish Submarine Badge, (SWd2me), dating from 1983 and authorized in 1995. Some are numbered and others are hallmarked SPORRONG. Worn on shirt-sleeve order.

First design of the Swedish Submarine Badge (SWD-l). It was never considered for official recognition. Its design history and date is unknown.

SWD-2me SWD-l

2.84" x .88"

2.53" x 1.14"

Sweden's current Submarine Badge was first introduced in bullion in 1976 and officially authorized in 1978. A metal version was introduced in 1983 and finally authorized in 1995. It is for shirt sleeve order. Both badges show two dolphins naiant, tails supporting a shield with a trident upright, surmounted by the Swedish royal crown. According to official Swedish Naval sources it is worn on the left breast after six months of service in submarines, but I have seen a picture of an officer taken in 1984 with the badge on the right breast. It is probably the same as Norway in this respect (qv). There is no authorization for the miniature version of the Swedish Submarine Badge. (SWD-2mme) It is about 1/3 the size of the regular badge This is probably a sweetheart badge or tie pin.

Bullion version of the Swedish Submarine Badge, (SWN-2) in gold wire, colored thread in the crown on a black wool shaped backing. This is the primary dress version badge. Background measures 4.11" X 1.63".

SWD-2 102

3.58" x 1.23"

SWD-2mme 103

1.74" x .53"

Taiwan

Taiwan

In 1973, the Republic of China (Taiwan) initiated its Submarine Force with two U.S. Guppy types commissioned as Hai Shih class boats (Hai Shih--ex-Cutlass and Hai Bao--ex Tusk). 2 Dutch Zwaardvis type boats were added in 1987 as Hai Lung class boats (Hai Lung and Hai Hu). Due to the political machinations of the Peoples's Republic of China, the Taiwanese Navy has had difficulty in obtaining modern submarines. German 209 type boats were on order for the early 90s and could be in commission by now. The Republic of China's Submarine Badge (Chyan Harg Shioug lang) was instituted January 27th, 1966. Based on the U.S. badge but with a Albacore type hull bows on, it displays the Chinese 12 point sun at center. It comes in various forms and metals depending on manufacturer. The Chinese 12 point star may be photoetched, cloisonne or in relief. They may be stamped or cast in aluminum. Serial numbers and ideograms are to be found on the backs. No miniature, bullion or cloth versions are officially authorized, but do exist.

TAI-2c

3.12" x .94"

Though not authorized, cloth versions do exist and are worn on work clothing. This badge, (TAI-2c), was purchased by the author in Taipei from a uniform shop. In white thread on royal blue with merrowed edges. No officer's version was found but may exist. The background is 3.94" X 1.79"

Worn above the left pocket, the officer's Submarine Badge, (TAIl), is in gold metal with a photoetched national symbol. Qualification for this badge is 5 months on shore training and one year on board. Attachment is by 2 small screw posts.

This badge appears to be bogus but it probably is a test badge offered to the Chinese crews for consideration at the Submarine Training Base in the U.S. It is based on the standard U.S. "Dolphins" with the 12 pointed star national symbol of Taiwan over the bow and planes of the submarine. The national symbol is in cloisonne and the attachments are small screw posts. Gold for officers (TAI-3?) and silver for enlisted personnel (TAI-4?). The same company produced a test badge for the Venezuelan Navy made the same way. (qv)

TAI-I

2.73" x .79"

Worn above the left pocket, the enlisted Submarine Badge, (TAI2), is in silver metal with a photoetched national symbol. Qualification for this badge is 3 months on shore training and one year on board. Attachment is by 2 small screw posts.

TAI-2 104

2.73" x .79"

TAI-3?

2.75" x .80"

TAI-4? 105

2.75" x .80"

Thailand

Turkey Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri

Thailand (then Siam) bought four I Class submarines from Mitsubishi Industries, Kobe, Japan, in 1936/37. These stayed in commission in the Thai Navy until 1955 when they were decommissioned for lack of spare parts. They had been reported in poor repair since 1948. The boats were the Machanu (class leader), Vilun, Blajunbol and Sinsamduar. The present Royal Thai Navy, according to naval publications, is looking to purchase replacement boats, and appear to be favoring a deal with the Peoples Republic of China for 3 Romeo Class boats. The Imperial Siamese Naval Submarine Badge (THA-l) is one of the rarest badges to find. This is a picture of an excellent reproduction. In copper with pinkish white lotus blossoms. It is unique in that the anchor is freely suspended from the hawse by a small chain and has its own pin. The main attachment is by safety pin.

In c1886, after Greece bought the unwanted submarine that T. Nordenfelt manufactured for the Swedish Navy. Turkey, sensing that her traditional enemy had gained a march on her, bought the parts for two Nordenfelt submarines. They constructed one, which they decided was unsatisfactory and was scrapped, while the other was never constructed. The Turkish Navy eschewed all submarine operations until 1927 when it bought two Dutch submarines christened Birinci Inonu and Ikinci Inonu. To supplement these, another 2 boats, one a minelayer, were bought from Italy and named Sakarya and Dumlupinar in 1931. In 1935 a German boat was delivered as the Cur, followed by 2 more German boats in 1938/39, Yidiray and Saldiray. In 1940 Vickers-Armstrong of Great Britain delivered 3 new boats, Burak Reis, Murat Reis and Oruf Reis. These brought the Turkish Navy's Submarine Force up to 10 submarines on the eve of WWII through most of which Turkey remained neutral. These were retired when the U.S. supplied 2 Tang class boats, Hizirreis and Pirireis, 5 Guppy lIAs, Burakreis, Muratreis, Cerbe and Birinci, and 2 Guppy ills, Canakkale and Ikinci. These submarines are all still in service, along with 8 newer 209 Class German boats, 6 Atalay Class (Type 1200) Atalay, Saldiray, Batiray, Yildiray, Dogonay and Dolunay, and 2 Preveze Class (Type 1400) Prevese and Sakarya, with two building. Information on Turkish Submarine badges is quite sparse and official help in this area was not at all forthcoming. The following descriptions and pictures come under the best knowledge available.

2.91" x 1.28"

THA-l

Though sold and touted as the Royal Thai Submarine Badge, (THA-2x), this badge, looking far more purposeful than some of the real submarine badges in this book, is not. Even though it has been sold from various unimpeachable auction houses and dealers as a submarine badge it is nonetheless the distinctive of the Royal Thai Navy's equivalent of the U.S. Navy's S.E.A.L.s. The shield on the anchor is in the colors of the Thai flag.

.

.,.

-'

.'

,c~;(;,~j~J~~js,\\' t~ 'L -....

:::.:" :;.:t:::"~~ (I~-:i .~

... /)\ -~.- _

~ .....

0,;

3.13" x .89"

THA-2 106

The first Turkish Navy Submarine badge (Astsubay Denizalti Brovesi) (TKY-l) was issued in 1928 and remained authorized until 1935. This is an officer's badge. This shows a great deal of German influence. This picture is a drawing made from a rather bad photocopy. This actual badge is very rare.

j

TRY-l 107

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Turkey

This Turkish Submariner's Badge (TKY-2) was authorized from 1935 until 1956, and then again from 1977 to the present. It still shows the German influence. It was originally for officers only. Warrants and Senior Petty Officers are now authorized to wear this badge.

TKY-5

2.21" x 1.96"

TKY-4 TKY-2

2.04" x 2.04" Drawing of the Officer's Submarine (TKY-4) badge in use from 1959-1964. No actual example could be found and this picture was drawn from a very bad photocopy.

Turkish Naval Officer's Submarine badge (TKY-5) from 1964-1977. It is in gold with a black submarine. Pin back attachment.

A very questionable bullion version of the above badge (TKY-5b?). Probably made in Pakistan, it presents the wrong encircling wreath and a tie at the bottom. A miniature of the above Submarine badge (TKY-2m). It is currently authorized but was not on the first issuance of the badge

Enlisted personnel in the Turkish Submarine Forces do not wear breast badges as the officers do. The indication of their assignment and qualification is worn on the arm under their badges of rank or, if no rank, on the sleeve above the elbow. Short serving enlisted types wear a red rank badge with the submarine color to match, while regular POs ("lifers") wear gold bullion rank badges (yellow thread embroidery on working order), with the submarine also of the same material. There is an indication that senior petty officers and warrants wear the breast badge, but it is unconfirmed.

TKY-2m

1.06" x 1.00" TKY-5b?

The 1956-1959 version of the officer's Submarine badge (TKY-3), a more Turkish design than the pr~ceding ones.

TKY-3

2.06" x 2.51"

The illustration below shows the winter uniform rank and rating badge for a Coxswain 2nd Class (short serving) Submariner (TKY6). Judging by the heading of the submarine it is meant to be worn on the right arm. At other times rank and qualification badges are worn on the left sleeve. This badge is on a rectangular Navy wool backing 3.30" X 4.82", the submarine is 3.00" X .63".

1.65" x 1.31"

TKY-6 108

109

United Kingdom Worn on the right (?) sleeve of the dark blue winter uniform with the submarine embroidered in red silk.(UK-3) The background measures 3.S9" X 2.41".

Worn on the right (?) sleeve of the white summer uniform with the submarine embroidered in dark navy silk. (UK-4) The background measures 3:S9" X 2.41".

UK-3

UK-4

United Kingdom Royal Navy

It is natural that the Royal Navy-the world's most powerful navy, composed of the largest battleships and their consorts-treated the theory of submarine warfare with a great deal of contempt and dismissed the ideas of Holland and Nordenfelt out of hand. It was France, experimenting with the submarine, that moved the Royal Navy into the submarine business. The first order for a Holland boat was placed in 1900, and Vickers built 5 more on license. By 1910 more than 50 submarines were on the naval lists. In 1905, improved diesel powered boats were being built (D and E Class), but not in great numbers. During WWI, a force of 9 D and E boats were highly successful operating out of Russia against the iron ore ships from Sweden in conjunction with the Imperial Navy, but the surviving seven were scuttled to keep them from falling into Communist hands during the revolution. The submarine forces in the Middle East were even more successful against Turkey. In the two naval conferences after the war, in true English fashion, the British tried to have the submarine banned altogether. Since no one else had found all their Naval power almost thwarted by the little submarine (Japan, another island nation, would find this out in a few years), this was ignored. Submarines with long ranges and endurances were concentrated on during the inter-war years, and the RN entered WWII with around 60 boats. T Class boats were probably the most successful boats during WWII considering their age, as were the U and V Class boats. It should be noted that the Royal Navy was the leader in Anti Submarine Warfare and even had submarines designed as submarine hunters. Until the age of the nuclear boats, Britain went the way of the U.S., converting its boats to Guppys. These were followed by the Porpoise and Oberon Classes, which were successful at home as well as in export. These were the final diesel-electric classes. Their first SSN Dreadnought was completed in 1963, first SSBN Resolution in 1967. Currently, the Royal Navy operates 2 Vanguard Class (SSBNs)(two more building), 2 Resolution Class (SSBNs), 7 Trafalgar Class (SSNs)(5 more building) and 5 Swiftsure Class (SSNs). Though in at the beginning of submarining, Great Britain quite belatedly recognized the crews with a distinctive badge. Prior to 1958 enlisted submariners could only be recognized by a cap tally with "HM Submarines" and the number (later the name) of the boat on it. During WWII, for security purposes, the tally showed only "HM Submarines." These are still worn today in conjunction with the brevet. In 1958, a non-substantive badge for enlisted personnel was issued. Called the "sausage roll" or "sausage on a stick" by sailors, it was universally disliked, even to the point of refusal to wear it (it was an optional badge). It was dropped in 1964. In 1971 a metal badge was issued for all ranks based on the Australian Submariner's badge (qv). A small brooch was introduced for the Ladies circa 1989 and has since been adopted for Mess undress wear by POs, CPOs and Officers.

2.S9" x 1.34"

2.S9" x 1.34"

Worn on the right (?) sleeve of the #1 uniform with the submarine embroidered in gold bullion wire. (UK-S) The background measures 3.S9" X 2.41".

Cap tally from WWII (UK-I) in gold metal thread on a silk ribbon. This ribbon is LIS" wide and log enough to circle the band of the cap. (around 30") UK-S

2.S9" x 1.34"

UK-l

Current cap tally (UK·2) is on nylon with heavy weave. This one is for the Shore Shore Training Facility, HMS Dolphin.

llO

According to all sources, this badge was considered a non-substantive badge, which by regulation are worn on the right sleeve. This would seem strange as it shows the submarine sailing to the rear. Probably worn on the left sleeve. UK-2

ill

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World Authorized in 1971, the current badge, (UK-6), consists of a gold anchor on a dark blue enamel shield, supported by two bottle-nosed dolphins, a Queen's crown surmounting. It is worn by all ranks on the left breast above the medal bar.

United States

2.39" x .79"

UK-6

Bullion version of the Submariner's brevet. (UK-6bx) This is not regulation or even worn. It may be a blazer badge, but it isn't worn by the RN on any uniform.

UK-6bx

2.37" x .84"

Miniature version of the badge. (UK-6m) Originally struck as a sweetheart badge, it has been adopted for wear with the undress mess uniforms by officers, CPOs and POs.

1.63" x .58"

UK-6m

Though not officially authorized, this badge (UK-6wk) or like ones without the lettering are worn on the #8s or coveralls.

Since the history of the U.S. Submarine Force has been written in far greater detail than there is room in this book to do itjustice,just the current status will be listed here. 15 Ohio Class (SSBN) (+ 3 building), I Seawolf Class (SSN)(+ I building), 55 Los Angeles Class (SSN) (+4 building), 25 Sturgeon Class (SSN), 1 Narwhal (SSN), I Permit Class (SSN), 2 Benjamin Franklin Class, (SSN ex- SSBN), 2 Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels, Mystic and Avalon, and 3 Deep Submergence Research Vehicles, Alvin, Turtle and Sea Cliff The United State's Navy's Submarine Badge dates fTom 1923 when Captain Ernest J. King (later Fleet Admiral, Chief of Naval Operations during World War II) suggested a badge for members of the Submarine Service. He submitted a design showing the shield of the United States mounted on the beam ends of a submarine with dolphins forward of and abaft the conning tower. The adopted design was by a Philadelphia jewelry firm that had done work earlier for the navy (see appendix). It was authorized for wear on March 29, 1924, by Theodore Roosevelt, Acting Secretary of the Navy. First issued in gold metal for officers, worn over the left pocket and in blue or white cloth for enlisted men, and worn on the right sleeve between the wrist and elbow, this badge has remained relatively the same to this day. Until 1941 the badge could only be worn by qualified personnel on active submariner duty, but from then on, unless revoked, it could be worn at all times regardless of duty station. In 1943, enlisted men who were promoted to commissioned or warrant ranks wore the enlisted cloth badge above the left pocket until they qualified for the officer's badge. In 1947 all enlisted personnel changed the location to the left breast. In 1950 a silver metal badge was authorized for enlisted men and a yellow silk cloth version for officers. The quality of the badges run from pot metal to sterling silver. They can be found in cloth, bullion and even as silk screened iron-ons. Arguably the most difficult badge in the U.S. military services to qualify for, a U.S. Navy Submariner requires six months of intensive school and a year of on the job training and testing to win his "dolphins", which in this case are of the dorado or mahi-mahi kind, not a porpoise. A safety pin type attachment is mistakenly thought to indicate a WWII or earlier manufacture, but these were still in government stores until the early sixties. This was specified in the contracts with manufacturers for government procurement. Base Exchanges and civilian stores bought and sold the more popular, easily attached clutch back versions made by some of the same ma~ufacturers.

First authorized design. A fleet boat, bows on, at speed with dorado supporters on the opened diving planes. Gold officer's (USN-I) version dates from 1924.

UK-6wk

Another authorized style. (USN-lvl) The dorado are skinnier and more water below bow, hence the name "deep wave". This type was worn by President Jimmy Carter.

3.87" x 2.83"

Two examples of Old Comrade Associations distinctives. (UK-7 & 8) Struck for various conventions. The left is 1.05" X 1.05", the right, .95" X 1.40". Naval crown surmounting. UK-7

USN-l

UK-8 1/2

2.76" x .80"

USN-lvl 1/3

2.76" x .94"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

United States

This style is the "Yokosuka" or "West Coast" type. (USN-1 v2) If not actually authorized, it certainly is accepted and worn by all ranks. Probably made in Japan originally.

Bullion version of the officer's badge in gold wire. (USN-1 b) This badge has been worn from 1924 to the present day. Various qualities and detailing are to be found.

USN-1v2

USN-1b

2.77" x .80"

USN-1m

2.75" x .92"

Authorized in 1950, the cloth version of the officer's badge (USNIe) is worn on the navy blue shirt, not on the regular Class A uniform. Embroidered on navy blue wool in yellow-orange silk (now nylon)

USN-Ie

Miniatures of the officer's Submarine badge (USN-1m & USN-1v1m) for wear on the Mess Jacket. There is no mess dress equivalent for EM, but silver versions are made for sweetheart types. These measure 1.50" X .45" & 1.50" X .50" respectively.

USN1v1m

Submarine Medical Officer (USN-2) Authorized in 1943 for doctors dealing with submarine medicine. It is the equivalent of Flight Surgeon in aviation. It requires less rigid qualifications than the regular submarine badge. Normally base personnel during WWII (Enlisted Medical Corpsmen served at sea originally), doctors came on board with the advent of the larger boats and on all of the nuclear submarines. The gold oak leaf and silver acorn Medical Corps device is nanked by two gold dolphins. The left badge is the original, which was replaced by th~ right (USN-3), displaying a smaller device in 1952. Not a watch standing officer. There is no enlisted equivalent of this badge.

2.65" x .87"

Leather name tag with the Submarine Badge embossed in gold. (USN-H) Also showing the boat's name and number, it is worn on the naval aviator's G-2 leather jacket or the OD deck jacket. The officer's rank and name are embossed in gold below the number. The color of the leather background varies from boat to boat. These are available for other officer's submarine rating badges. No enlisted equivalent.

USN-2

USN-ll

4.50" x 3.00"

2.95" x .75"

USN-3

2.75" x .65"

Submarine Engineering Officer.. For officers that design and modify submarines. Not worn by the sub's engineer, who is a regular line officer and wears the regular submariner's badge, (USN-I), but design officers that have limited submarine qualifications to that end. The left "E" badge, in gold (USN-4), was authorized in 1950, superseded by the right version (USN-5) in 1952. In the later version the propeller and surrounding circle are silver, the rest gold.

Two versions of the officer's Submarine badge embroidered on dark navy blue merrowed backgrounds for wear on working uniforms or coveralls. (USN-1wk & USN-1wkv1)

USN-1wk

3.41" x 1.02"

USN-Iwkv1 JJ4

2.94" x 1.11"

USN-4

2.75" x .97"

USN-5 JJ5

2. 1

"

.70"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

United States A strange variation of the cloth badge. (USN-7csv2) The submarine is coming from the opposite direction. The reason for this is unknown. It would appear to be made to be worn on the left sleeve so that the bow of the boat faced forward. From old ship's stores in Panama, it is not a manufacturing error or a flipped image. No winter version is available, but probably exists.

USN-5v

2.96" x .74"

USN-6

2.77" x .90"

A variant of the Submarine Engineering Officer badge (USN-5v) that has the sections between the prop and circle cut out. It has a pin attachment. The Submarine Supply Officer badge (USN-6) was authorized in 1964 for those officers dealing in submarine logistics and supply. It requires a less rigid submarine qualification and the holder is not a full watch standing officer. It consists of two gold dolphins flanking and supporting the Navy Supply Corps oak leaf device. No enlisted equivalent.

Miniature versions of the support officer's badges. On top both old and new Submarine Medical Officers. (USN-2m & 3m) Lower left, Submarine Engineering Officer (USN-5m), and at lower right is the Submarine Supply Officer's Badge. (USN-6m) All approximately 1.56" X .70"

USN-2m

':

2.70" x .85"

From 1943 to 1946 CPOs also wore a gray duck uniform, both with shirt and pants and with a full coat. The badge for this was dark navy silk thread on gray duck. (USN-8c) This was replaced by the traditional suntans in 1946. This uniform had a tropical worsted version, with shirt or coat for Class A wear. The badge was dark blue navy silk on tan chino or worsted material (USN-9c). Worn on the left breast after 1947, these Tropical Worsted versions were phased out in 1950 with the authorization of the metal badge.

USN-5m Established in 1924 for enlisted submarine personnel to be worn on the right sleeve between the wrist and elbow of the square rig uniform and chief's reefer jacket. Embroidered in white silk thread on blue flannel for winter (USN-7cw) and blue silk thread on white duck for the summer. (USN-7cs) In 1943 a submarine qualified enlisted man who was commissioned wore the cloth badge above the left pocket until he met the requirements for the officers' metal badge. Another variation of the enlisted cloth badge (USN-7csvl) is of a late 40s vintage. There is a winter version, white on navy blue, of the same badge not illustrated here. In 1947, the position of this insignia was moved from the sleeve to the left breast for all personnel, but was still in cloth.

USN-7csv2

USN3m

USN6m

USN-8c

2.69" x .85"

USN-9c

2.65" x .85"

In 1950, the silver badge for enlisted personnel was authorized to be worn over the left breast pocket. It is the same badge as worn by officers except in color. (USN-7) It can be found in the same variations "Deep Wave" (USN-7vl) and "Yokosuka" (USN-7v2, not shown) There have been no changes to date. USN-7cw

2.76" x .84"

USN-7csvl

2.80" x .89"

.

USN-7cs

2.50" x .84"

116

USN-7

2.83" x .83"

USN-7vl 117

2.7"

.16"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

United States

Chief Petty Officers are allowed to wear bullion on their dress uniforms. They come in silver wire on navy blue for winter wear (USN-7b) and silver wire on Tropical Worsted for summer wear. (USN-9b)

Dating from 1943, the Submarine Combat Patrol Badge (USN-lO) in silver was awarded for a wartime submarine combat patrol. A subsequent patrol was indicated by a gold star. When the scroll was full, silver stars replaced the gold, indicating 5 patrols each. Same for officers and enlisted men. (USN-10v) is the deep wave version of the badge that is a bit larger. Both are pinback.

USN-7b

USN-IO

2.77" x .94"

USN-9b

3.21"

X

.95"

2.22" x .60"

USN-10m 2.69" x .84"

2.26" x .79"

Miniature versions of the Combat Patrol badges. They are made with the combat stars already on them. (USN-10v) is 1.00" X .36". (USN-10vm) is 1.25" X .48". Both have pinback attachment

This version of the Submarine Badge (USN-7wk) is made to go on the enlisted dungaree shirt. It is fabricated so that it can be simply ironed on for permanent attachment. There is no officer's version. USN-7wk

USN-lOy

USN-10vm

The SSBN Deterrent Patrol Badge (USN-11), in silver, was authorized in 1969 for a patrol cycle. The same convention for stars is for the Combat Patrol Badge. For to all ranks, Officers have a miniature mess version.

The Neptune award (USN-12) is the same badge in gold. It is awarded to the man who has the most SSBN patrols. Instituted in 1979, no stars are needed. There have only been enlisted awardees. A miniature is authorized.

Two variants of enlisted Submarine Badge for wear on the on board coveralls. Both use grey/silver thread on dark navy blue. Both have merrowed edges. (USN-7wkvl/USN-7wkv2)

2.25" x .83"

USN-11

2.25" x .83"

USN-12

Deep Submergence Badge authorized in 1981 for qualified people who have spent a year in a deep submergence billet and have participated in one deep diving deployment. The gold is for Operators (officers or enlisted) (USN-13), silver for crewmembers (USN-14).

USN-7wkvl

3.41"

X

1.02"

USN-7wkv2

//8

2.94"

X

1.11"

USN-13

USN-14

1.37" x .85"

//9

I. 7" '.8 "

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

United States

Developed by crews of "Trieste II" in 1971, this version of the Deep Submergence Vehicle Badge was never officially approved, but was worn informally. Worn on the left breast. Type I, the two upper badges, are hollow backed, gold for officers, (USN-IS), silver for enlisted, (USN-16). They have a scroll for stars, I star-crew, 2 stars-operator and 3 Officer in Charge. The two lower badges are solid, not quite as detailed, and have three stars in place. Gold for Operators, (USN-17), silver for crew (USN-18).

From the Vietnam era, a subdued metal Submarine Badge (USNIsd). This one was treated to blacken the bronze, while others are simply painted matte black. They were made for wear on 00 fatigues or carnies ashore. Cloth versions exist This one was worn by officers. CPOs and enlisted wore straight matte black.. Versions exist for Engineering and Medical and Supply officers, but are not shown.

USN-lsd

USN-IS

1.95" x 1.26"

USN-16

1.95" x 1.26"

USN-17

1.95" x 1.26"

USN-18

1.95" x 1.26"

A mess dress miniature (USN-17m/ 18m) and even a tie tack version (USN-17ttJI8tt) were made of the Type II unauthorized Deep Submergence Vehicle badge..92" X .63" and .68" X .40" USN-17m/18m

Two unusual versi·ons of the U. S. Navy Submarine badge are the ones worn by the now defunct Maryland Naval Militia. In gold for officers (USN-19) and silver for enlisted personnel (USN-20), they are standard sets of dolphins with Baltimore family arms, the State Arms of Maryland appliqued on the submarine. It was authorized to be worn by any member of the M. N. M. who had qualified to wear the regular badge (The M. N. M. also had Naval Aviator and Observer badges made in the same way). The Maryland Naval Militia was in existence from 1774 to 1975.

USN-19

2.80" x .76"

USN-20

2.80" x .76"

Designed in the 70s but never officially authorized is the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel Badge. Gold for operators, (USN-21), silver for crewmembers, (USN-22). Cloth versions of this badge exist.

USN-17tt/18tt

Two non-standard versions of the officer's Submarine badge. The two color variant (USN-l v3) was widely worn though the late 40s and early 50s. Hydroplanes, boat and bow wave are in silver, dolphins are in gold. The second version (USN-1v4) has radically different dolphins. It is in gold plated sterling silver, this one is not two color by design by is just worn. There is a sweetheart version of this badge that has rhinestones in the fish's scales.

USN-1v3

2.75" x .80"

2.75" x .80"

USN-lv4 /20

2.66" x .73"

USN-21

1.50" x .31"

USN-22

1.50" x .31"

In defiance of the phasing out of the diesel-electric boats for an all-nuclear force, the West Coast diesel boat operators unofficially struck this badge as an equivalent of the Deterrent Patrol Badge. In both gold, (USN-23) and silver, (USN-24), also in miniature, this badge was worn with the tacit permission of the diesel boat's captains. There must be a bit of irony here looking at the description of Capt. King's original design description on the first page of the U.S. section. DBF stands for "Diesel Boats Forever".

USN-23

2.61" x 1.00"

USN-24 /2/

. II"

X

1.00"

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

United States

This variant is the unauthorized SSN Submarine Badges. In gold (USN-25) and silver (USN-26), they have been worn but were outlawed by the Navy. There is another version, probably made as a test badge by Balfour, which is the same as the Imperial Iranian Submarine Badge (qv), but without the Pahlevi crown added above the sail.

Though not specifically authorized, belt buckles like the examples below are widely worn by both officers and enlisted men. There are also incised versions in gold and silver. (USN-29 & USN-29vl)

USN-25

USN-29

2.70" x .91"

USN-26

2.70" x .91"

2.93" x 1.40"

USN-29v1

Last and not military, this Submariner's badge (USN-30) is worn by the crews that operate the submarine ride at Disneyland in Orange County, California. It has gold thread embroidery on dark blue background.

Another unauthorized badge is this one that was presented to the crew of the SSBN Pennsylvania on its commissioning (USN-27). It is carved out of anthracite coal.

USN-27

2.67" x .96"

1.57" x 1.57"

USN-30

The ultimate in unauthorized badges, this "bush" submariner or "siren" badge, (USN-28), is the Submarine Service's answer to the Air Force "bush" pilot badge. It is a standard submarine badge with a very accommodating lady appliqued at center. USN-28

2.93" x 1.40"

2.67" x .78" /22

/23

Venezuela

Yugoslavia

Marina de Guerra de Venezuela

Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes

Modified National arms applique on both examples of the Venezuelan Submarine Badge. The dexter chief quarter is red with a yellow sheaf of wheat, the sinister chief quarter is yellow with two crossed red, yellow and blue Venezuelan flags, and the base is a white horse on a blue field all separated and edged in thin gold. Venezuela acquired its first submarine in 1960, a U.S. Balao Class fleet boat, Carite, followed by 2 more Guppy II types (one named Picua) in the early 1970s. These were stricken when two German 209 (Type 1300) Cabalo Class SSKs, Cabalo and Caribe, were acquired in the late 1970s. The Venezuelan Submarine Badge (Insignia de Submarinistas). It is an original design that closely follows the U.S. type, but the dolphins are different as well as the sea below and the submarine has a modern sail. Officer's badges are in gold (VEN-l), warrants and enlisted men in silver (VEN-2). Worn on the left breast. No miniature, cloth or bullion versions are authorized

VEN-l

2.78" x .84"

VEN-2

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was organized in 1917 and proclaimed under the auspices of the Congress of Oppressed Nations on December 4, 1918, with Peter I of Serbia as King and PrinceAlexandr as Regent. Under the provisions of the Armistice, those warships interned in the Kingdom's ports after the Armistice belonged to the Kingdom. Seven Austro-Hungarian U-Boats were interned at Cattaro, six at Sebenico and one at Fiume. For some reason all of these were given to Italy or France and none to the Kingdom. The Kingdom acquired its first two submarines from Vickers. Named Hrabi and Nebolsa, they were erected from surplus parts of submarines originally ordered by the British Admiralty but never delivered. Delivery was taken in 1927 and would date the badge to that year. The Kingdom became Yugoslavia in 1929 under Alexandr I (Peter's son), just prior to which another submarine was delivered from France, named Ostvetnik The Submarine badge of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (KSCS-l), dates from 1927 to c1929 when the Kingdom became Yugoslavia. It shows the starboard side of a submarine appliqued on a foul anchor resting on an oval wreath of half oak and half linden leaves. The anchor is surmounted by the Serbian crown at the upper apex of the wreath and at the base where the stock and flukes meet, the arms of the Kingdom containing the elements of Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia are appliqued. All in silver metal. This probably was worn by officers only on the left pocket in the German manner.

2.78" x .84"

There are variants of these badges (Ven-ll2) that are the same except for a smaller size...2.28" X .75".

VEN-3

2.78" x 1.10"

This is a senior version of the above badge (VEN-3) that was created in 1988 for submarine officers in command positions that have fulfilled their duties in an outstanding fashion. It has a band of stars above the sail.

At first glance, this version of the Venezuelan Submarine Badge (Insignia de Submarinista) would appear bogus, but it was probably run up as a test badge for the first Venezuelan classes at the U.S. Submarine School in 1960. One will notice that it is simply the U.S. badge with the Venezulean arms appliqued. To judge by the reverse, it was manufactured by the same company that did the Taiwanese test badges (qv). Officer's badges (VEN-4?) are in gold, warrants and enlisted men (VEN-5?) in silver.

2.54" x 1.99"

KSCS-l

VEN-4?

2.83" x .95"

VEN-5? /24

2.83" x .95" /25

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Yugoslavia

Jugoslovenska Ratna Mornarcia

In 1970 the officer's badge changed to the following two badges. The gold badge, (YUG-4), indicates over 10 years of submarine service, while the silver (YUG-5) is less than ten years. This badge has a red enamel star above, the rising sun and rays are in light yellow, the sea in dark blue and the anchor in black. These badges are all serial numbered on the back. Screw post and large nut attachment. There are lapel versions of these badges that are about .5" in diameter

Yugoslavia's Submarine Force came into being at the same time, 1929, as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Three submarines were inherited from the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, Hrabi, Nebolsa and Ostvetnik (illusions to another boat have been made but it cannot be traced). These boats served into WWII, only Nebolsa surviving the war, though, in unseaworthy condition. The People's Republic of Yugoslavia (1945- ) started it's Submarine Force in 1957 with two small in country built subs, now retired. In 1968 the Heroj class of three boats (SSs) were built, followed in 1978 by two Sava class boats (SSs). Currently only the two Siava class boats are in service, probably only one operational. Yugoslavia has also built midget types that have found homes in other navies. These are swimmer delivery vehicles of the Mala class of which 4 are currently on the lists.

Submarine Officer's badge of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (YUG1). This very rare badge was issued c1929. The badge is in gold metal with vitreous red enamel inside the crown and submarine in silver metal. Double pins used for attachment. Topped by the Serbian crown, it was probably worn only by officers on the left pocket in the German manner. Attached with a double vertical open pin arrangement.

YUG-4

YUG-1

YUG-5

1.81" x 1.58"

2.05" x 1.81"

The Submarine Service was reestablished in 1957 with native built The same badge in gold metal (YUG-3), according to most sources, submarines. The Submariner's Badge (YUG-2) in silver metal with is a long service badge for enlisted personnel. The requirements a red enamel star surmounting was issued c 1960 and was for all . seem to vary from 10 years to 25 years of submarine service. This ranks who qualified. It became the enlisted crewmember's badge badge is manufactured by IKOM Zagreb. Has screw post and nut when the officers' badges changed in 1970. Has screw post and nut mounting with anti-rotation pins. mounting.

These are earlier (?) variants of the above badges, (YUG-6) and (YUG-7), showing the wreath in silver on both, with just the submarine changing color for the two classes. They are also curved to shape the chest and have a small screw post and nut attachment. Except for the curved body, (YUG-5) and (YUG-7) are essentially the same

YUG-6

YUG-2

1.81" x 1.58"

2.20" x 1.56"

YUG-3 126

1.81" x 1.58"

YUG-7

2.20" x 1.56" /27

1.81" x 1.58"

Appendix Transcript of Captain King's original letter:

In reply, address Commander Sub. Div. 3

u. s. S. Bushnell

Appendix:

Care Postmaster.

N.Y.City

Submarine Division Three Submarine Divisions, Atlantic u. s. S. Bushnell, (Flagship)

Origins of U.S. Submariner's Badge

OF7/SS/FB3/B15New London, Conn. 13 June 1923. If one requests any data from the Office of Information, Navy Department, concerning the U.S. Navy Submariner's Badge, they will send you a nice little packet with, among other things, a concise history of the badge and its heraldric meaning. It states, in part, that the concept for the badge originated with Captain Earnest J. King, Commanding Officer, Submarine Division 3 (later Fleet Admiral and Chief of Naval Operations during World War II), in a letter dated June 13, 1923. It also states that Captain King submitted a pen and ink drawing of his design along with the letter. Thi design was described as ... a shield moul/ted on the beam ends of a submarine with dolphins fore and aft ofthe conning tower. A fellow collector and ex-submarine sailor, Lee Lacey of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and mysel f had a few di cuss ions in letters and over the phone of exactly what this design looked like. We even went so far as to try to duplicate it from the description. Lee decided to pursue the problem further and gathered letters, orders and submissions from the Navy that bore directly on the subject. He is preparing an article on the genesis of the Submariner's Badge from the e sources, but has most graciously allowed me to print a tran cript of Captain King's original letter as well as his drawing, along with some other designs that were also submitted but not chosen. Even the awarded designers, Bailey, Banks and Biddle-a Philadelphia jewelry firm-had more than just the one design. The drawings were taken from copies or copies of copies, and I tried to clean them up as best I could. In any case they are hi torically-if not always artistically-interesting.

From: Three) To Via

Captain E. J. King, U.S.Navy (Commander Submarine Division Secretary of the Navy (Bureau of Navigation) Commander Submarine Divisions Atlantic.

Subject: Reference:

Distinguishing Badge for Qualified Submariner Personnel. Submarine Instructions 1919, Chapter 3.

1. After being associated with submarines for nearly one year, in the course of which having traveled some three thousand miles in submarines, and having made many dive in the course of nearly twenty-six years' service, I am of the firm opinion that the qualified submarine personnel is entitled to wear a distinguishing badge. 2. It is firmly believed that this recogni ion will help materially in improving and maintaining the morale of Submarine personnel. It has now become necessary to detail officers as well as men to submarine service for lack of volunteers for duty which involves greater hardships, greater endurance and greater risks than any other naval duty, in peace as well as war. 3. The purpose of this ·submarine badg • is the same as that of the badge is the same as that badge worn in the aviation service, namely, to indicate to the service and to the public that the wearer has qualified for duty which requires picked men who are carefully trained in work which is of extra-hazardous character. 4. The wearing of the proposed badge should be limited to submarine personnel that is duly qualified in conformity with he requirements of the Reference and when such qualified personnel is serving in submarines. 5. The proposed ·submarine badge· should be similar in kind to the aviation badge and worn in a similar manner. A suggested form of badge is a submarine silhouette with details in low relief and bearing a miniature U.S. shield below the conning-tower, and with dolphins as ·supports· on either side of the conning-tower, somewhat as indicated in sketch below:-

(Signature)

/28

/29

E. J. King

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Appendix

The above drawing was submitted along with the Captajn King's letter. The following two designs were submitted by H. L. Macbride on the 26th of June, 1923, an officer (he had submitted his resignation from the Navy at the time of this proposal) of the submarine U.S.S. S-l, based at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He states in hjs accompanying letter ... "The dolphin idea is all right, but 1 think a good, lively, vicious-looking tiger shark would be more apropos, since it is well known that we submariners are a doughty bunch. The anchor aLone might be prescribedjor basefixture people, tho (sic) the Bureau might see it differently. A silver shark over a gold sub wouLd look snappy, but it can be goLd. " This design, among those submitted, is credited to Cmdr. F. R Wheater. It show two dolphins, naiant, supporting a form of the national shield.

The two following designs (below & page I 32)were submissions from the fleet but the designers are unknown. The first reminiscent of the one above, has the dolphins, hauriant, with a star added above the shield, the second is a star with rampant sea horse supporters.

The second design (anchor alone) bears a resemblance to the Imperial Russian Submariner's Badge (qv), already obsolete at this time.

130

131

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Appendix Here is another variation on the same theme with the anchors larger and no bar below..

The Navy requested that The Bailey, Banks and Biddle Company of Philadelphia, who had previously supplied the Naval Academy Class rings and the like, to submit designs for the Submariner's Badge. Their final design is the one still worn today (USN-I) but their earlier submissions are very interesting.

The first, a bows on view of a submarine at speed with a large bow wave, crossed anchor and U.S. shield on a bar is accompanied by these hand printed comments: ...Wave crests to be bright -- other suifaces to be lined as indicated. Shading on shield indicates slight

curvature.

The same theme continues here but with the addition of what appear to be fish in the design.

The next, a derivative of the above but with scroll work waves, was accompanied by these comments: ...Submarine, Shield, Anchors and. Base to be lined offor in some other way made darker than the wave scrolls. Wave outlines should be slightly raised, space between bright.

/32

/33

Submarine Badges and Insignia of the World

Appendix The drawin wa r turned with another drawing adding a dolphin on the sinister id ith lh 1I0wing hand written comm I1l instruction : ... Thi b wand bow wave are splendid. Put dolphin in corresponding po ition ( wing in figure 2. (Figure I. < previou illu trali n, i ur 2., the revised drawing).

In

I

Two more fanciful designs were included.

Approaching the final design was this offering, wedding the starboard bow of a submarine with the aviator's wings.

...-.. -~~... -::5;: .~ ~ _A.....-- ... ...

~

as<

•

,JJI

•

It is not known whether the person submitting the revision meant adding to the sinister side only, as drawn, or replacing the wing on both sides as the author has reconstructed below. If so it closely resembles the current U. S. Navy Submarine Badge and of it elf a very credible design.

1'-

",~_,..~,..- "'~'I'

134

/35

Bibliography

Atlante delle Uniformi, Militari dal 1934 ad Oggi, Elioe Vittorio, Ermano Albertelli Editore, Parma, 1984 Badges and Insignia of the British Armed Forces, A & C Black, London, 1974 Badges and Tokens of the Russian Imperial Navy, 1696-1917, V. D. Dotsenko, A. D. Boynnovich, and V. A. Kuprukhin, Logos, St. Petersburg, 1993 (in Russian) Badges of the Soviet Armed Forces, The, 1918-1991, V. A. Borisov, Farn, St. Petersburg, 1994 (in Russian) Combat Medals of the Third Reich, Christopher Ailsby, Patrick Stephens Ltd. Wellborough, Northhamptonshire, 1987 Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships (/902-1921), Conway Maritime Press, London, 1985 Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships (1947-1982), Part I, The Western Powers, Conway Maritime Press, London, 1983 Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships (1947-1982), Part 2, Warsaw Pact and Non-Aligned Nations, Naval institute Press, Annapolis, MD,I983 Diario Oficial, 11.808 Num 203, Distintivo del personal de submarinos, 5 Sept 1919, (Spanish Naval Regulations)

Die Bundeswehr und ire Uniformen, Jorg-M. Horman, Podzun-Pallas, Freiberg, 1987 Distintivi e Medaglie della RSI, Fausto Sparachino, Editrice Militare Italiana, Milan, 1988 German Navy in World War II, The, Jak B. Mailman, Showall, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, undated A Guide to Submarine Insignia, Allen Phillips, Uncopyrighted monograph, Bainbridge Island, WA, 1993 1/ Distintivo Dei Sommergiblisti, A monograph by Amm. Isp (GN) c.a. Gino Galuppuni. date unknown

Imperial Japanese Navy Uniform Regulations, 1934 (Translation by Masao Narita) Imperial Japanese Army & Navy Uniforms and Equipment (Translation by Masao Narita) IV-15,012 Titulo V, Del distintivo del Submarinos, 1986 (Spanish Naval Regulations)

Jane's Fighting Ships various volumes from 1945-1996, Jane's Information Group, Alexandria, VA 1995 Jane's Fighting Ships of World War I, Military Press, New York, NY, 1990 Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II, Studio Editions Ltd., London, 1990 RSI, Uniformi Distintivi, Equipaggio e Armi, 1943-45, Guido Rosignoli, Ermanno Alberttelli Editore, Parma,I989 Uniforms & Insignia of the Navies of World War II, Compiled by Naval Intelligence during WWII, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD,I991

136