WW2 British SOE Airborne Wing

The WW2 British SOE Airborne Wing is an embroidered cloth insignia associated with members of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) who completed airborne training during the Second World War. The wing typically features a stylized parachute flanked by a single wing, all rendered in white thread on a dark backing. It was worn on the left breast of the uniform above medal ribbons, denoting qualification as a parachutist. The SOE was a secret organization established in 1940 to conduct espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in occupied Europe and support local resistance movements. Members often underwent specialized training, including parachute jumps behind enemy lines. The Airborne Wing served both as a mark of operational role and a practical identifier for individuals who had undertaken parachute operations. Today, these insignia are considered representative artifacts of Britain’s wartime clandestine services and hold historical significance within military collecting circles.