Captured Aero A-2

[Flightengineer]

Recently I saw these photos on Instagram of a collector from Japan.

http://instagr.am/p/yFCPoRgM-o/
Jacket of interesting destiny. The facts of wearing trophy A2s by the Luftwaffe are known but rare. The German sergeant major Kurt Gren used this jacket as a flightgear and add his patches.

Interesting is the fate of t/sergeant John P. Red.

His number is written on the jacket, as well as the group and squadron in the 15th Air Force.

Has anyone seen this Aero before and is the history of this guy known (judging by his rank, he was a gunner)?

 

[mulceber]

@Nnatalie or I might’ve able to look into this guy. It’d be neat to find out about the later life of a POW.

 

[Flightengineer]

That would be interesting, Jan. I really want to hope that he survived and returned home safely.

 

[VeraVoulik]

Seems he survived:

John Peter Red | American Air Museum

www.americanairmuseum.com

 

[mulceber]

Hmm, does that make clear that he survived the war? A lot of people died in the POW camps. Still, the fact that he made it down is a good sign.

 

[VeraVoulik]

Look at his awards

 

[mulceber]

Hah! Good point!

 

[mulceber]

Also, down below it mentions his death in 1988 and burial in Spokane, Washington.

I should've read more closely!

 

[VeraVoulik]

Yes, this site is very well done and updated with photographs, fates etc...

 

[Flightengineer]

Good job!
Apparently, the German also lived until the end of the war, since the jacket survived.

 

[scwells]

Wonder if this is the same Kurt Gren: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/211342789/kurt-gren

 

[Flightengineer]

Wonder if this is the same Kurt Gren: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/211342789/kurt-gren

I think not, he died before the plane was shot down with the jacket he got.

 

[Brettafett]

I read recently (just cant remember which book it was) about a pilot who crash-landed after strafing a German airfield.
He got out, the guys came over, and the first thing they did was take his flight jacket. I dont recall mention of the type of flight jacket.

 

[leper-colony]

 

[scwells]

The date of death on the findagrave.com for Kurt Gren might be incorrect, according to this web page, the correct date might be 23. August 1944:

Help! Aircraft crashplace B-24 Lt. Panity, FW-190 Fw. Kurt Gren, 23.08.1944 - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

Help! Aircraft crashplace B-24 Lt. Panity, FW-190 Fw. Kurt Gren, 23.08.1944 Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces

forum.12oclockhigh.net