5 inches
WWII English Made 8th Air Force Chemical Squadron Flight Jacket Patch
Here is a rare English made, but never issued patch for a Chemical Squadron of the 8th Air Force. Fully embroidered with wool and silk thread and measures 5" in diameter with black paper backing. The star represents the Air Force in white on a dark blue backing with a crowned deer in the centre, which represents the near by Royal Park of Sandringham. Surrounded by branch of service insignia for Communications, Chemical, Artillery, Air Force and an un-identified branch with a red scroll to the bottom of the patch.
Attributed to the 446th Bomb Group based at Bungay with Detachment A 885th Chemical Warfare and Ordnance Depot at Barnham near to Liberators on the airfield. Mystery surrounds the covert nature of group and the patch made but never issued. It is thought that 'if' the D day invasion failed chemical weapons might be deployed as a plan 'B' ? The 446BG were part of Third Air Division commanded by Brigadier General Curtiss Le May, (Later to command 20th Air Force which attacked Japan) his HQ was based at Elvedon Hall.
I have a small number made by a tailor shop in Norwich, which closed in the 1960's.
I would also like to thank my customer and good friend of 25+ years Allan Hutchings for identifying the patch, the story behind it's existence and supplying various pages of local research and comment about the patch. Copies will be sent with any patch sold.
