Juleswings Militaria

08/08/2026

Australian SASR Vietnam

This Special Air Service Parachutist Wing belonged to 3791202, 2nd Lieutenant Lloyd Charles ‘Bimbo’ Behm.

Behm, a National Service officer selected for service with SASR. ‘Bimbo’ Behn deployed to PNG with 3 SAS Sqn as a patrol member, thereby gaining valuable experience before deploying to South Vietnam with 1 SAS Sqn from 05 February 1970 until 18 February 1971.

Astute collectors will note that the parachute suspension lines are black rather than the usual white cotton thread. Interestingly, the other set that I have with black suspension lines (second image) also has provenance to an officer from that period, whereas the OR (enlisted) examples that I have from the same time period all have white suspension lines. I suspect that this is merely a coincidence and related to the stocks available for distribution at the time rather than any deliberate distinction between officers and ORs, but interesting nonetheless. Do any other collectors have similar examples with the black suspension lines and owner provenance? If you do, let me know so we can test the theory.

Juleswings Collection

01/08/2026

Rhodesian SAS - A couple of the most prized Rhodesian SAS parachutist wings in my collection, these belonging to John “Jock” Hutton (1924–2020)

John “Jock” Hutton was one of the most respected soldiers to serve with the British Parachute Regiment and later the Rhodesian Special Air Service (SAS). His military career spanned more than four decades of operational service across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

Hutton enlisted in the Black Watch in 1939 before transferring to the British Parachute Regiment in 1943. On 6 June 1944, he parachuted into Normandy with the British 6th Airborne Division during the D-Day landings, fighting around Ranville and the River Orne. Wounded later that month, he returned to active service and fought in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge, where he was captured by German forces before escaping. In 1945 he took part in the final Allied airborne operations into Germany.

After the Second World War, Jock served in Palestine (1945–48), Cyprus and Egypt (1949–52), before undertaking counter-insurgency operations in Malaya, Singapore and Java from 1952 to 1954.

Emigrating to Northern Rhodesia in 1955, Hutton became one of the original members of the Rhodesian SAS, completing its inaugural selection course in 1961. In 1967 he succeeded Stan Standish as Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM), serving throughout much of the Rhodesian Bush War. Renowned for his exceptional fieldcraft, leadership and uncompromising standards, he helped shape generations of SAS soldiers while participating in numerous combat operations.

Following Zimbabwe’s independence, Jock served with 5 Reconnaissance Regiment of the South African Defence Force from 1981 to 1985. He remained an iconic figure within the airborne and special forces community, remembered as one of the finest non-commissioned officers to serve in both the British Parachute Regiment and Rhodesian SAS. Juleswings Collection

01/08/2026

French Indochina Cambodian / Armée Royale Khmère (ARK) / Forces Armées Nationales Khmères (FANK) Signals Insignia in my collection.

The badge on the top left is for the 4e Compagnie Mixte de Transmissions / 4th Mixed Signal Company (C.M.T.). During the first half of 1946, a Signal Detachment was established and attached to the French 821st Signal Battalion. In October 1946, it was attached to the 72nd Colonial Signal Company. Then, in January 1949, a Signal Section was formed under the name “Autonomous Signal Section of the Cambodian Land Forces,” attached to the 821st Sig. Bn. On October 1, 1949, it became the 4th Mixed Signal Company, based in Phnom Penh. On February 1, 1952, the following appeared on the Order of Battle: 4th Mixed Signal Company, 6th Echelon of the Signal Depot. The 4th C.M.T. was dissolved on November 7, 1953. This badge is the variation made by Arthus-Bertrand, the other being made by Drago Olivier Métra.

The lower badge is for the 1ere Compagnie de Transmissions Cambodgienne / 1st Cambodian Signal Company. Created on 01 November 1952 in Phnom Penh as part of the Signals Directorate formation. It was dissolved on 15 December 1954 and reformed the next day as the 1st Signal Battalion consisting of 810 men. The badge was created by the unit commander and Director of Signals for the FANK, Houl Khoum, on 19 February 1954. An initial order was placed with the Drago company in France in May 1954 for 500 badges (250 ‘jeweller’s’ quality and 250 standard insignia. In the following months, Drago delivered 503 ‘jeweller’ quality, 598 standard and 6 silver badges. Juleswings Collection

01/08/2026

Inside the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum.

The Battle of Điện Biên Phủ was one of the defining battles of the 20th century — ending French colonial rule in Indochina and reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia.

My latest article takes an in-depth look at the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum in Vietnam, examining its exhibitions, battlefield artifacts, weapons, uniforms, and the remarkable 360-degree panorama depicting the 56-day siege.

Read the full review and associated photo galleries at www.juleswings.com

https://juleswings.com/the-dien-bien-phu-victory-museum/

Review & photos of Vietnam's Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum, dedicated to the decisive 1954 siege of Điện Biên Phủ, that ended the First Indochina War.

28/07/2026

South Vietnam. Studio portrait photo that I picked up in Ho Chi Minh City recently. It features an ARVN soldier wearing tiger stripe camouflage but, I’m unsure of the unit that he belongs to as there are no identifying insignia. The presence of the aiguillette / fourragère on his left shoulder leads me to suspect that he is not from a CIDG, MIKE Force or other PF/RF unit, but I am not certain of this. What do you think, any ideas?

26/07/2026

Dien Bien Phu. Badges from my French Indochina War collection that represent the units involved in the defence and the French counter attack on Eliane 2 (Hill A1 to the Vietnamese). These are featured on the monument indicating the direction of the French counter attack at the base of the hill.

During the siege of Battle of Dien Bien Phu, one of the fiercest phases was the “Battle of the Five Hills,” fought from 30 March to 4 April 1954. The Viet Minh launched their second major offensive against the eastern defensive positions protecting the French stronghold, targeting five key hills: Dominique 1 and 2, Eliane 1 and 2, and the nearby “Phoney Hill”. Supported by heavy artillery, Viet Minh forces captured several positions and threatened to split the French defences. The fighting was continuous and exceptionally costly, involving French paratroopers, Foreign Legion troops, colonial infantry, and Vietnamese units. Although the French lost some ground, they managed to hold the crucial position of Eliane 2 after days of intense combat, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.

A key episode occurred on the night of 30–31 March when Viet Minh troops briefly seized part of Eliane 2, one of the most important strongpoints overlooking the central basin. If Eliane fell, DBP would fall.

French commanders immediately organized a counterattack using paratroopers, Foreign Legionnaires, artillery, and tanks. After fierce close-quarters fighting, the French recaptured the lost sections of the hill and restored their defensive line. This counterattack prevented a rapid collapse of the eastern sector and allowed Eliane 2 to remain in French hands for more than a month, until the final Viet Minh assaults in early May ultimately overwhelmed the position. Dien Bien Phu fell the following day.
Juleswings Collection

19/07/2026

Vietnam. This is a small collection of 1950’s period Forces Armées Vietnamiennes (F.A.V.N) Signals unit badges that I acquired. I’m looking for a two more badges to finish the group, the 7th Vietnamese Signals Company (7e Compagnie de Transmissions Vietnamiennes) and the 4th Military Region Signals School (Centre d’Instruction Technique des Transmissions Régionales No. 4) as shown in the second and third photos. Juleswings Collection

19/07/2026

WANTED!
If you know where I can find an ORIGINAL example of this Drago made Vietnamese FAVN 4th Military Region Signals School / Centre d’Instruction Technique des Transmissions Régionales No. 4 (CITTR 4) badge for sale or trade, please contact me.

19/07/2026

‘The Praetorians – The History of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion – Indochina 1948-1955’

The untold history of the 2e BEP in Indochina, 1948 - 1955. Hardback, 155 pages, 41 unpublished photos, and three maps. Coming soon from noted French Foreign Legion historian and collector, Andrew J. Mitchell. Looking forward to this and I’ll post an update as soon as it’s available.