US badge, what for ?

[just]

Hello
what is this badge ?
made in France by Arthus Bertrand Paris
thanks for answers
cordially
Didier

[John G.]

This is obviously a "locally produced" US Army Engineer's Fire Badge.....almost surely from "WW 1" (or early occupation)...
no idear what the "V.M.P." stands for......most US Fire Badges (civilian & official) are numbered for accountibility. Interesting, especially because it's probably WW 1.

Not an official pattern badge, but unquestionably original......locally produced item.
John G.

PS There was a 27th Engineers (Mining)....an independant unit....but I have no idear if it's related to this badge?

[just]

Hello John
thanks for explanations
this badge is a real mystery
I post it on several forums, nobody knows ???
thanks again
cordially
Didier

[ChristopherPerrien]

My guess is, it is a locally produced firefighters badge for a US quartermaster-firefighter unit operating in France in WWII or perhaps WWI.

The VMP could mean something like "Vieux-Marche' Post", or some other little town in France.

On a side note, why don't you contact Arthus-Betrand? They surely have records/history.

http://www.arthus-bertrand.com/home.php

[just]

Hello
thanks Christopher
cordially
Didier

[HFK]

Hello Didier,
This badge appears to be a locally produced item, for an Engineer fire-fighting unit. Certainly has nothing to do with the Quartermaster Corps. Just look at the main feature of ther badge, the Castle, a symbol of Engineers.
Regards, Harry

[new2this]

The only thing I could find from an acronym site is that VMP stands for a Marine Patrol unit, like VMF is a fighter unit I suppose. Is there any possibility that a US Army firefighting unit would protect a Marine airfield? Something like that?

[HFK]

I would strongly suspect the navy would have its own fire-fighting u nits, instead of depending on the army.
Regards, Harry

[new2this]

http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/w ... -agn.shtml

I don't know if this will help establish places/dates or anything, but it's about all I can find about the 27th in France.

[ChristopherPerrien]

Hello Didier,
This badge appears to be a locally produced item, for an Engineer fire-fighting unit. Certainly has nothing to do with the Quartermaster Corps. Just look at the main feature of ther badge, the Castle, a symbol of Engineers.
Regards, Harry

Until Dec 1941, The US Army Firefighters were part of the QMC. Then they were attached to the COE. And there remained alot of operational connections between the Firefighters of the COE and the QMC though-out the war. In WWI all firefighters were QMC.

http://www.dodfire.com/history/History.htm

all things US Army firefighter
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Military-History-669/2009/2/Army-Fireman-WW1-WW2.htm

[new2this]

I have seen several war time fire helmets, with QMC on the front, though I have also seen others with USA.

[ChristopherPerrien]

I have seen several war time fire helmets, with QMC on the front, though I have also seen others with USA.

See above, as this in in relation

As of right now as far as my research is going, It may have been the entire Engineer "Corps" may have been part of the QMC , not just firefighters up, until Dec1941.

[ChristopherPerrien]

As to the badge, I would e-mail a picture of it to this guy.

http://www.firefighters.mil-fire.net/pages/contact3.html

[just]

Hello Gentlemen
thanks a lot for your explanations
cordially
Didier