Named WW2 20th Bomb Squadron A-2 Jacket – Bohrer

Spectacular and Poignant Named WW2 20th Bomb Squadron A-2 Jacket (Harry Edward Bohrer).

Presents in very good condition – with wear and fading consistent with age. Leather is supple and pliable. Cuffs and waistband are either original or period replacements. Original liner appears to have been period replaced with a custom liner. Serval zipper and tract are in good, functioning condition. Jacket is accentuated by U.S. Army Air Force patch on left sleeve, with painted 20th Bombardment Squadron leather patch and painted leather name tag (to “H. E. Bohrer”) on left breast.

*Artifact(s) come(s) with a packet of printed research paperwork related to Harry E. Bohrer – including (where available) subject’s general vital statistics/subject’s military records/additional insights into subject’s military service. [Please note that this research was performed exclusively by/for Magi Militaria utilizing subscription-based archives, database resources, and other various internet searchable sources – included research may contain records from U.S. government archives, but the information furnished in this packet was not produced via NARA/NPRC information request.]

According to our research, Master Sergeant Harry Edward Bohrer (ASN: 35452779), a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, served as Chief Armorer with the 20th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force during WW2.

The 20th Bombardment Squadron (as part of the 12th, then 15th Air Forces) flew B-17 bombers through campaigns in North Africa, Italy, and finally to the heartland of Central Europe.

What was supposed to be an easy “milk run” for the 20th in mid-1944 became one of the most tragic and costliest encounters for a single Allied squadron in the entirety of the Second World War.

On the morning of August 29, 1944, American bombers from the 15th Air Force, 2nd Bombardment Group, based in Amendola, Italy, were on a mission to destroy the Privoser Oil Refinery and Moravska Marshalling Yards in the northern region of German-occupied Czchoslovakia.

During the mission, the German Luftwaffe took advantage of the American formation in a vulnerable moment, and launched a successful surprise attack against the unescorted tail end element of the bombardment group – with the 20th Bombardment Squadron drawing the short straw.

In the chaotic and frightening span of only 20 minutes, the squadron was completely overwhelmed and annihilated by over 70 German fighter planes!

When it was over, the 20th had lost every single B-17 in the squadron, along with their crews – half of which had lost their lives in the battle and the other half which had bailed out over enemy territory and become prisoners of war.

Sergeant Bohrer was not in the air with the 20th Bombardment Squadron on that fateful day, but we cannot even begin to imagine the emotions felt by him and those who eagerly awaited the safe return of their friends, only to find out that many of the men they regarded as brothers were never coming home and many others had been left to the unknown fortunes of capture as POWs.

A high-condition named A-2 Jacket – made even more noteworthy by the tremendous bravery shown and mighty sacrifice endured by the 20th Bomb Squadron during WW2. The memory and weight of this jacket deserves a truly faithful caretaker.