Biafra South Nigeria Air force OFFICERS Beret Badge 1967

Description

Biafra South Nigeria Air force OFFICERS Beret Badge 1967

Folowing the post-Independance Military coup, a secessionary movement arose in the Eastern stat or province (of Southern Nigeria), capital at Enugu; anti-Lagos, anti-Federal Goverment. On 30 May 1967, Lt-Col. Ojukwu, declared the birth of the new nation of BIAFRA. In the serveral years of the civil war that followed, Biafra maintained its own Army and Airforce; and distinctive badges, now rare, were struck.

The Biafrans set up a small, yet effective air force. Biafran Air Force commanders were Chude Sokey and later Godwin Ezeilo, who had trained with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Its early inventory included two B-25 Mitchells, two B-26 Invaders a converted DC-3 and one Dove.
In 1968, Swedish pilot Carl Gustaf von Rosen suggested the MiniCOIN project to General Ojukwu.
By early 1969, Biafra had assembled five MFI-9Bs in Gabon, calling them “Biafra Babies”. They were coloured green, were able to carry six 68 mm anti-armour rockets under each wing using simple sights.
The five planes were flown by three Swedish pilots and three Biafran pilots. In September 1969, Biafra acquired four ex-Armee de l’Air North American T-6Gs, which were flown to Biafra the following month, with another T-6 lost on the ferry flight.
These aircraft flew missions until January 1970 manned by Portuguese ex-military pilots.
During the war, Biafra tried to acquire jets. Two Fouga Magisters and several Gloster Meteors were bought but never arrived in Biafra, being abandoned on foreign African airbases.

Material:  black steel
Reverse: 1 lug fitting. 1 lug fitting missing
Original condition
Size: approx. 77 x 35 mm

Extreme rare item!