Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a A2 leather flight jacket issued to a member of the crew of a Douglas A-20 Havoc that was assigned to the 646th Bombardment Squadron, 9th Air Force.
The 646th Bombardment Squadron was established as a Third Air Force A-20 Havoc light bomber Operational Training Unit in mid-1943; Deployed to European Theater of Operations (ETO) in mid-1944; assigned to Ninth Air Force in England.
Entered combat in May 1944 and helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by assaulting coastal defenses, airfields, and V-weapon sites in France, and marshalling yards in France and Belgium. Supported the invasion in June by bombing gun positions and railway choke points. Assisted ground forces at Caen and St Lo in July and at Brest in August and September by attacking bridges, vehicles, fuel and ammunition dumps, and rail lines.
Moved to France in Sept, and through mid-December struck defended villages, railroad bridges and overpasses, marshalling yards, military camps, and communications centers to support the Allied assault on the Siegfried Line. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-January 1945, by pounding marshalling yards, railheads, bridges, and vehicles in the battle area. Continued to fly support and interdictory missions, aiding the drive across the Rhine and into Germany, February–April 1945, continuing attacks on enemy forces until the German Capitulation in May 1945.
Most of the squadron was demobilized during the summer of 1945; squadron returned to the United States and was assigned to Seymour Johnson Field, then Myrtle Beach Army Airfield, however was minimally manned and equipped. Inactivated in November 1945.
This is a nice flight jacket that will display beautifully. The left chest bears a very rare eye-catching bright colored original 664th Bomb Squadron insignia patch which embroidered and features an American Indian hanging from a cloud dropping bombs.
Overall condition of the jacket is good. The leather is still supple and does not have any major cracking or damage. There is some wear in places and a split in the seam at the left shoulder. The liner is original as are cuffs and waist band. The zipper is missing. Data label has been removed but size is approximately US 38.
The 646th Bombardment Squadron was established as a Third Air Force A-20 Havoc light bomber Operational Training Unit in mid-1943; Deployed to European Theater of Operations (ETO) in mid-1944; assigned to Ninth Air Force in England.
Entered combat in May 1944 and helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by assaulting coastal defenses, airfields, and V-weapon sites in France, and marshalling yards in France and Belgium. Supported the invasion in June by bombing gun positions and railway choke points. Assisted ground forces at Caen and St Lo in July and at Brest in August and September by attacking bridges, vehicles, fuel and ammunition dumps, and rail lines.
Moved to France in Sept, and through mid-December struck defended villages, railroad bridges and overpasses, marshalling yards, military camps, and communications centers to support the Allied assault on the Siegfried Line. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-January 1945, by pounding marshalling yards, railheads, bridges, and vehicles in the battle area. Continued to fly support and interdictory missions, aiding the drive across the Rhine and into Germany, February–April 1945, continuing attacks on enemy forces until the German Capitulation in May 1945.
Most of the squadron was demobilized during the summer of 1945; squadron returned to the United States and was assigned to Seymour Johnson Field, then Myrtle Beach Army Airfield, however was minimally manned and equipped. Inactivated in November 1945.
This is a nice flight jacket that will display beautifully. The left chest bears a very rare eye-catching bright colored original 664th Bomb Squadron insignia patch which embroidered and features an American Indian hanging from a cloud dropping bombs.
Overall condition of the jacket is good. The leather is still supple and does not have any major cracking or damage. There is some wear in places and a split in the seam at the left shoulder. The liner is original as are cuffs and waist band. The zipper is missing. Data label has been removed but size is approximately US 38.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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