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LOT 1493
Fantastic Famed World War II USAAF 34th “Thunderbirds” Bombardment Squadron Painted A-2 Flight Jacket - This is a fine example and highly sought after World War II A-2 flight jacket worn by a member of the famed 34th “Thunderbirds” Bombardment Squadron. In April 1942, aircrews from the 34th BS flew B-25 Mitchell bombers from the U.S.S. Hornet in the famous Doolittle Tokyo Raid. This was the first air operation against the Japanese homeland, and it was named after Lt. Col. James Doolittle who planned and led the raid. The audacious raid consisted of 16 B-25s launching off an aircraft carrier and flying without fighter escorts to strike the Japanese capital Tokyo. The raid caused minor damage but provided a vital boost in morale in a country looking to avenge the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 34th BS was subsequently deployed to the Mediterranean Theater and operated B-26 Marauder bombers from bases
in North Africa, Sardinia, Corsica and France. The “Thunderbirds” participated in Operation Torch, the Tunisian Campaign and the invasion of Sicily and Italy by flying tactical bombing operations. The squadron supported American ground forces moving through Southern France who eventually joined forces with those in northern France and eventually participated in the invasion of Germany. This flight jacket features the Thunderbird insignia of the 34th BS painted on a five inch circular leather patch sewn on the left breast. The right side of the jacket has a painted mission scoreboard of forty-one yellow bombs.