Original U.S. WWII AAF B-24 Photo Album Squadron Nose Art Photos & Great Photographic Content with Squadron Patch, Decals, & Foreign Coin Jewelry - 528th Bomb Squad, 345th Bomb Group - 110 Photographs Total

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. From its home at Fenton, Australia, the 528th Bombardment Squadron attacked Japanese installations in the Netherlands East Indies and the Bismark Archipelago, including airfields, ground installations and factories. In August 1943, it participated in a series of raids on oil refineries in Balikpapan, Borneo in what at the time was the longest bombing mission flown by an Army Air Forces bomber unit. For this mission, the squadron was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). During April and May 1944, the unit conducted a series of raids on enemy airfields in western New Guinea to support landings in the Hollandia area, for which it was awarded a second DUC.

This is an outstanding photo album owned by a member of the 528th Bombardment Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force, AAF. The album is full of great candid material of their time in Australia, including many photos of Native Aboriginal people in their villages, a great shot of a monkey holding an M1 helmet, collage photos of the crews of the 528th BS, kangaroos, just so many great Australia shots. There are 110 photos total, but however roughly 50% of the photos are detached from the album.

Also included is a great 528th BS squadron patch, measuring 4” in diameter depicting an aviator riding a bomb & carrying a Browning .50 Cal. There is also a great Celluloid sleeve with decals by H.L. Moore Co., with great directions for applying retained. Inside is an AFA decal and a Connecticut Nutmeg State decal.

There’s also a lovely locket necklace made from 1943-dated Australian coins, and a great bracelet made from Australian coins, great souvenirs from his time there.

A fantastic photo album set, ready for display.