Beja Badge

Extremely rare unofficial badge of the 172nd Field Regt. RA and the 5th Batt. Hants. Regt. to commemorate the 1943 Battle of Beja.
172nd Field Regt. RA were affiliated to the 128th Infantry Brigade consisting of 3 battalions of the Hants. Regt. The action took place north of the town of Beja at a place called Hunts Gap in North Africa.10th Panzers equipped mainly with Tiger tanks were held for 12 hours non-stop gaining very valuable time for the allied communications of the 1st Army. In the early action the Germans used 8 Messerschmitts who raked the British positions. By the end tanks, guns and small arms fire were down to a range of 10 to 20 yards! Nine of 130 gunners survived to reach regimental lines and 200 out of the battalion of 5th Hants. reached safety.
Balloted awards for the VC were suggested by Lt. Col. Newnham of the 5th Hants. and Brig. M.A.James of the 128th Infantry Brigade. One of the official reasons for this not being done were too many prisoners! A German Africa Corps commander speaking after the war admitted that the failure at Hunts Gap (Beja) marked the end of hope of victory in North Africa.
CO 172nd Field Regt. RA had the badges made by Arab craftsmen in Tunis to commemorate the battle. Exact figures are not known but less than 200 were made. Some were purchased by men of the 5th Hants. who had fought just as gallantly as the gunners.
The badge is a white metal shield with a red felt centre with a white metal Tiger tank pierced by a crusader's sword (sign of 1st Army). Small plate inscribed Beja in corner. Badge measures 2 by 2.75 inches and has a pin back. Was worn with pride unofficially by both regiments on the right breast pocket or right arm below 46th Division sign to mark this incredibly brave action. Ref Norman Litchfield article MHS Journal May 1982

Code: 53173