AXE THE PARAS BADGE; We'll march with the times, say top brass.PARA chiefs last night backed the decision to scrap the regiment's famous Pegasus badge.The flying horse shoulder flash is due to go in a shake-up of Britain's airborne troops Those ground units whose primary mission is to make assault landings from the air. See also troops. in September. Nato military chief Lt Gen Lt Gen or LtGen abbr. lieutenant general Sir Mike Jackson For the P. G. Wodehouse character, see . For other people named Mike Jackson, see . General Sir Michael David "Mike" Jackson, GCB, CBE, DSO, DL, (born 21 March 1944) is a British army officer, formerly Chief of the General Staff. said: "Whilst I understand that some retired and serving members of the regiment regret the change, a new brigade needs a new symbol, with which all members of that brigade will identify. "This is fully acknowledged by me, as colonel commandant of the regiment, and by the regiment's commanding officers." The Paras will still keep their maroon beret The maroon beret has been the international symbol of elite airborne forces since its selection for use by the Airborne Forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the 1st and steel wings cap badge A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as well as uniformed civilian groups such as when they become part of the 16th Air Assault Brigade. Beret Lt General Jackson added: "Our regimental identity comes from our own cap badge and maroon beret." Regimental Lt Col Joe Poraj-Wilczynski, 50, said: "16th Air Assault Brigade is the beginning of a new era." The regimental journal will continue to be called Pegasus as will the Shetland pony Shetland pony, smallest breed of horse, originating in the Shetland Islands some 200 mi (322 km) N of Scotland. The Shetland resembles a miniature draft horse and has long been used for working purposes. mascot. The Lt Col added: "The forefathers forefathers npl → antepasados mpl forefathers npl → ancêtres mpl forefathers npl → Vorfahren who initially established the airborne forces were innovators and adventurers. "I think they would have appreciated us having a new symbol to carry things forward." The Pegasus flash will be replaced by a swooping eagle on a maroon and blue background. Captain Stuart Russell, 40, said: "We change as circumstances dictate, and to keep things the same is backward looking." Lance Bombardier Leon Gale, 24, added: "I don't think a soldier at my stage of his career is really that fussed about Pegasus going. "It's a shame that former members of the regiment feel sad, but we've got to look forward." The Mirror's military adviser, Lt Gen Sir Roddy Cordy-Simpson, agreed that it was time for the Paras to let go of their Pegasus symbol. Gen Cordy-Simpson, former Director of Nato Operations, Bosnia, said: "It is the beret and cap badge, and not the shoulder flash, that is the most important part of battalion identity. "Nobody should be allowed to alter that." Voice of Mirror - Page 6 |
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