Afrika Korps Sonderverband 288 aged metal cap or tunic insignia

Afrika Korps Sonderverband 288 aged metal cap or tunic insignia, with correct coffin end pin, very limited supply.

This badge was originally produced in Tunisia during the war, these added to the famous insignia worn by the Kampfgruppe Menton was probably worn on the caps by members of this elite unit.  The unit had a special insignia showing a palm tree, a rising sun and a swastika.

The Sonderverband 288 was formed on 24 July 1941 in Potsdam. It was transferred to North Africa and fought together with 90. Leichte Afrika-Division.
It was redesignated Panzergrenadier-Regiment Afrika on 31 October 1942 and made part of the 90. Leichte Afrika-Division.

Commander
Oberst Otto Menton

Order of battle
Stab
Sonderkompanie (from Lehr-Regiment z.b.V. 800)
Gebirgsjäger-Kompanie
Schützen-Kompanie
MG-Kompanie
Panzerjäger-Kompanie
– Sturmgeschütz-Zug
Flak-Kompanie
Pionier-Kompanie
Nachrichten-Kompanie

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK) was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of their African colonies, the formation fought on in Africa, under various appellations, from March 1941 until its surrender in May 1943. The unit’s best known commander was Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.