Australian Airborne & Special Operations HistoryAustralian Airborne & Special Operations Unit InsigniaInsigniaThe 'juleswings' Collection
Nadzab September 1943 – Aussie Gunners Parachute Into History
Artillerymen of the 2/4th Australian Field Regiment secured their place in Australia’s military history on 5 September 1943, when they conducted the first combat parachute jump by an Australian unit. It was also the first time artillery had been para-dropped into combat in the Pacific, and one of the earliest airborne operations undertaken by Allied forces.
Battlefield Guide – Inside the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum
Explore the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum, the essential starting point for understanding the 1954 battle that ended French colonial rule in Indochina.
Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s Para-Military Parachute Clubs
Established in 2005 with the support of the Vietnam People’s Air Force, the Southern and Northern Aviation Clubs role are...
D-Day 1944 – Memorial Pegasus – The Pegasus Bridge Museum
Few actions on D-Day were as daring as the capture of Pegasus Bridge. Memorial Pegasus in Normandy preserves the original bridge, a Horsa glider, and an outstanding collection of airborne artifacts. This article explores the museum, the remarkable story of Operation DEADSTICK and the men of the 6th Airborne Division.
HCMC Museum – A Secret Viet Cong Commando Arms Cache
Tucked away in HCM's District 3 was a secret arms cache for the Viet Cong commando unit that attacked the Independence Palace during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Vietnam’s Dan Sinh War Surplus Market, HCMC – 2026 Update
I first visited Ho Chi Minh City’s War Surplus Market, Chợ Dân Sinh, in the 1990s and returned often over subsequent years. Once selling genuine military gear, by the 90's it had already become a hub for fake Vietnam War memorabilia. In March 2026, I returned to see how things have changed.
Myanmar: Kokang Border Guard Force 1006 Militia 2009-2023
Delving into the history of some recently acquired insignia from Myanmar. The 'Special Operations' component of the Kokang Border Guard Force 1006, a Myanmar junta-aligned militia that were used as enforcers for the ruling crime syndicates until their destruction in 2023.
Australian Army Book – Fifty Shades of Green Brown and Khaki
Fifty Shades of Green, Brown and Khaki Volumes 1 & 2 by Stephen (Stephan) Cheers — two newly published military history reference books that chronicle a century of Australian Army uniforms and field equipment. An essential guide for collectors and military historians.
Parachuting Pioneers – The Rip Cord Club of the World Badge
Distinct from the Caterpillar Club where members used a parachute to save their life, the Rip Cord Club of the World was for the early parachutists who had made a voluntary jump from a functioning aircraft and successfully landed while still holding the rip cord.
French 4th SAS Veteran’s Parachute Badges Sell At Auction
A rare French SAS group of badges, including a Polish parachutist award and Special Air Service parachute wing recently sold at auction in Belgium. Using the information on the Polish badge I identify the recipient and their service history.
Australian Airborne Insignia #4 – RAAF Combat Controller Teams
We take a look at the insignia of one of the little known Australian Special Forces units, the Royal Australian Air Force special operations Combat Controller Teams of No. 4 Squadron RAAF.
Musée des Parachutistes. The French Paratrooper Museum
An extensive 100+ photo review of the Musée Mémorial des Parachutistes, in Pau, France. A historical archive for the French airborne forces, it is embedded within the École des Troupes Aéroportées (ETAP) and documents over eight decades of paratrooper history—from the inception of airborne warfare to contemporary operations.
Operation Market Garden: The Airborne Museum ‘Hartenstein’
The Airborne Museum Hartenstein, is one of the best known museums dedicated to the battle for the 'bridge too far' and the focal point for commemorative celebrations every September.
The Royal Australian Artillery UAS Drone Operator’s Brevet
In 2023, the Royal Australian Artillery introduced a new brevet for drone operators, recognising the 20th Regiment’s TUAS pilots in their Surveillance and Target Acquisition role for the Australian Army. Let’s take a look at the insignia worn by the Royal Australian Artillery UAS drone operators.
The French Foreign Legion Museum – Myth, Legend and History
We can certainly risk a few Legionnaires for France. After all, they are mostly foreigners. Minister to François Marneau in...
The Memorabilia Of Fred Casey, An Original SAS Rogue Hero
In March 2020, a remarkable collection of wartime memorabilia belonging to original SAS member Trooper Fred “Killer” Casey was auctioned. His archive offers a rare glimpse into the life of an SAS soldier whose service spanned from Dunkirk to the deserts of North Africa and behind enemy lines in Europe.
