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Bob Johnson
2/26/2011 8:46:51 AM | I recently came across some old things of my dad. He was in the 401st from Great Falls till they returned home. I came across an armband made of oil cloth. It is white with an American flag. Research has told me it was issued to crews who flew during the D-Day invasion. I was wondering if anyone knows who these were issued to in the 401st and for what mission or missions.
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Paul Bellamy
3/2/2011 5:21:01 PM | It would appear that "invasion brassards" were issued to some 8AF and 9AF aircrews on and following D-Day as identification to friendly ground forces in case they had to bale out over liberated areas of the continent.
During 1945 these had generally been superceded by printed ID cards bearing the US Flag and a photograph of the holder, with the text I am an American airman. Please take me to your commanding officer and notify nearest American or British military mission in Belgrade, Bucharest, Poltava or other nearby place. Also, please arrange for transportation. Thank you. in English, Russian and a variety of other languages.
See http://www.456thbombgroup.org/reichard/Pass.html for an example.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
3/2/2011 6:25:33 PM | Although I have not been able to say that the 401st had these Arm bands. There was someone that was asking about black grease paint that were painted on the aircraft during the D-Day invasion. The 401st BG didn't paint anything on their aircraft during this period of invasion.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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