Two Coats

WW2 jackets that ended up in our inbox

It’s amazing to me how a single video podcast can result in two amazing stories…both about WW2 jackets worlds apart…landing in my email inbox.

Jenn and I talked to a photographer who went on an 8 year journey putting together an absolutely gorgeous photobook together that was all about WW2 Bomber Jackets.

🎙️Audio podcast version if you want to listen to it later.

After we publisehd this video we got two stories emailed to us. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did.

A Raincoat that was treated respectfully for 47 years

Scott, Jenn,

I loved the episode about the WW II bomber flight jackets. I will have to look up the author and purchase the book. He was in the 3RD Armored Division like me. He was north of Frankfurt, I was to the west in Hanau in the DIVARTY (Division Artillery).

So, my story is poignant but not as dramatic as the leather bomber jackets. Having said that, I still think it speaks volumes about combat experiences and kindness.

In 1992 I was on my second tour in Germany. I was stationed in Bamberg, North of Nuremberg. At the time I was the Ops Officer,or S-3 of a Multiple Launch Rocket System Battalion. One of my collateral duties was representative to the German-American Friendship Club.

One evening during dinner an older German man told me the story of how he surrendered to the US Army and worked for the Army immediately following the surrender. As the war was winding down he was on the eastern front fighting the Russians. He and his unit were retreating westward in hopes of surrendering to the Americans or Brits. They were out of ammunition, fuel, and supplies. So, the marched west as fast as they could.

He arrived in the Bamberg area and surrendered to the US Army. The Army gave them food, medical care, and shelter. This soldier had a key skill: he spoke English and German. So, a US Army sergeant asked him if he would like to work at the gate, helping them talk with the locals. He said yes. They put him on the front gate, fed him,gave him coffee, and one day when it started raining, a raincoat.

The German told me the rain coat was the best one he ever wore. It was long, olive drab green. It was a heavy combination of cloth and rubber, with metal clasps. Kinda like the new england fishermen wear on lobster boats. When his watch was over, he took off the coat and was going to give it back to the Sergeant of the Guard. The sergeant told him to keep it as a way of thanking him.

The man cherished that raincoat. After dinner he asked me to stop his car. In the trunk he had the old raincoat carefully folded and in a protective container. He asked me if it was possible to trade that old raincoat in for a new one? I told him he would not want one of the newer raincoats, since they were nowhere near the quality of the one he had. I told the man I was honored to hear his story and see his beautifully preserved coat.

I realize this is not as heroic as the bomber jacket stories. But it demonstrated for me, the respect that the German soldiers and people had for the Americans. Plus, my experience was almost 50 years after the war. And to wrap it up, it happened during a German-American Friendship Club dinner.

Thank you Doug!

Researching the man who painted WW2 bomber jackets

Hello, just saw the segment you did with John.

I happen to have one of the jackets he put in the book. You had asked about directions some take with these jackets. In my case it was to learn more about the individual that did mine. His name was Harry Holls, 401st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, England. He was an armorer for the unit. He had some great skills. It helped subsidize his army pay. Flyers made substantially more than the ground crews. He was very prolific and created a number of the iconic jackets of the group. After the war, he opened a shop and went into sculpture in Connecticut. He remained there til he passed.

The jacket I have is Diabolical Angel. Done for the gunner on base. Its a true piece of art. Jeff Schrader, whom John mentioned values the jacket at 20k. Im including some photo attachments. I encourage you to look up the jackets of the 401st. Great work you guys do keeping this history alive.

Regards, Michael W

Harry Holls

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What do you think?

To me, these are perfect examples of the echoes of history all around us. The stories about them bring the past alive and remind us that there is so much for us to explore!

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