I didn't see this thread at the time but came across it just now during a search but I found another possible meaning for the patch. There was a competition in the Hitler Youth for Gefolgschaften and Fähnlein called the "Dienstleistungswettbewerb". The equivalent for the Mädelgruppen and JM-Gruppen was the "Reichsleistungswettkampf des BDM". The aim was to find the best male and female unit in the Reich based on particular criteria. For example:
How many
achievement badges had been awarded to the unit.
How many shooting badges had been awarded to the unit.
How many had active savings books in the unit.
How much money was raised by the unit for the Winterhilfswerk.
How well did the unit perform during inspections.
I see these criteria listed in a
Gebiet order from Gebiet Mainfranken dated Oct 1942.
Prizes for the best unit were awarded by the Reich Youth Leader. So this patch does have a basis in fact and it suggests that the best unit within Gebiet Mainfranken (prior to 1941 Gebiet Franken), in this case a Fähnlein I would think, was permitted to wear this patch. Now, I have read other primary sources where the winning female unit was given a type of ribbon that was attached to their unit pennant for one year. With that in mind, it is possible that the patch in post #1 had the same purpose but was worn on the uniform by the best Fähnlein (either within Bann 309 or the Reich), again, for a year. I would think that it was produced either by the Gebiet or by Bann 309 though and not by the RJF.
I'll try to dig out more on this.
The patch itself looks great by the way. Nice design.
