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Important Historic Note
World War II Luftwaffe ace Josef "Pips" Priller flew 307 combat missions and claimed 101 confirmed aerial victories, all of which were recorded over the Western Front. Priller is one of only seventy-seven Luftwaffe pilots to reach 100 victories.
LOT 3367
Historically Significant World War II
Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Ace Josef
Priller’s Leather Flight Jacket - This is
a very rare and exciting opportunity to
acquire a World War II Luftwaffe flight
jacket worn by Group III/JG 26 ace Josef “Pips” Priller (1915-1961). Priller flew 307 combat missions and claimed 101 confirmed aerial victories, all recorded over the Western Front. Sixty-eight of those victories, including his first air-to-air kill, were Spitfires, which is the highest tally for this model of aircraft for a WWII Luftwaffe ace. During the Battle of Britain, Priller claimed at least 14 kills. An extraordinary run of victories occurred between June 16 and July 11, 1941 when Priller shot down 19 RAF aircraft of which 17 were Spitfires to bring
his total to 39. By the end of 1941 his score stood at 58 and he was group commander of Group III/JG 26. He was a popular commander among the men he led and had a reputation of talking back to his superiors. Despite being outnumbered Priller managed to inflict damage on RAF fighter sweeps through 1943. In late 1941 Priller was among the first to receive the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. His first experience in combat flying in the Fw 190 occurred in a test flight on January 4, 1942 when he shot down a Hurricane. By the end of 1942 his victories stood at 81. In January 1943 Priller became wing commander of JG 26. During the Allied invasion
of Normandy, Priller flew one of the few Luftwaffe sorties against the
beachhead. His actions on June 6, 1944 were retold in Cornelius Ryan’s
classic book “The Longest Day” (1959) and then recreated on the big screen in
the 1962 film of the same name. Priller was one of several D-Day combatants
to advise the film makers. His 100th victory, an American B-24 bomber, came on
June 15, 1944. He was one of only 77 Luftwaffe pilots to reach the century mark.
His 101st victory, which would be his last, came on October 12, 1944 when he shot down a USAAF P-51 flown by Capt. H.T. Pascoe of the 357th Fighter Group. He led the ill-fated mass attack on Allied airfields known as Operation Bodenplatte on January 1, 1945. Soon after he was appointed to a staff position, Inspector of Day Fighters. After the war he studied brewing and became the general manager of the Riegele brewery.
Josef Priller
The jacket is identified to Priller with a white collar tag that bears his name sewn to the lining. Below the tag is the handwritten
marking “III/J.G. 26.” Priller’s private purchase non-regulation jacket is roughly a size 36 and is constructed out of brown leather. There
are two horizontal zipper breast pockets above two button closure pockets, single snap closure cuffs, buttons for shoulder boards, and Elless
zippers. An enlisted droop tail early breast eagle is present on the right chest, and a cloth Luftwaffe pilot’s badge has been removed as tiny holes
are present on the lower left side. This jacket is very similar to the type worn by Priller as seen in period photographs, and these photographs shown the breast eagle and the pilot badge, which, as stated, has since been removed. It is nearly impossible to find a World War II Luftwaffe flight jacket identified to a known ace, let alone an example worn by one of only 77 Luftwaffe aces to achieve 100 aerial victories. Priller’s jacket is certainly worthy of the finest private or public collection and is a striking reminder of the darkest days of World War II when the Luftwaffe
commanded the sky over Europe.
CONDITION: Very good displaying authentic use from being worn by a Luftwaffe ace in the cockpit of a Fw 190 with heavier wear on the sleeves. This is perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a flight jacket worn by one of only 77 World War II Luftwaffe aces to reach the century victory milestone. A must have for the serious aviation collector. A historic piece of World War II aviation memorabilia that is worthy of the finest collection. Provenance: The Saloga Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
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