Description:

R.A.F. "CATERPILLAR CLUB" ARCHIVE
Group of four items related to the RAF's "Caterpillar Club" a group comprised of pilots who made successful parachute jumps from their stricken aircraft. Includes: typed L.S., 1p. 8vo., Mar. 2, 1944, from Irvin's secretary on his behalf, to S. Powell, congratulating him on his successful escape by parachute. The letter was mailed to Powell while he was a POW, interned at Stalag Luft III, site of the "Great Escape". Powell was transferred to Stalag Luft III after a failed escape attempt from another camp where he was betrayed by a Belgian collaborator. Matted in blue, fine. WITH: Composite memorial plaque, 7" x 4", from the RAF's Escaping Society, featuring their seal, with its motto: "Solvitur Ambulando" ("Solved by Walking"). The Escaping Society was a charitable organization founded at the end of the war to aid those in German-occupied countries who risked their lives to assist Allied military personnel in their escape attempts. Fine. WITH: Caterpillar Club pin, 1 1/4" x 3/4", depicting a white enamel parachute superimposed on a set of gold wings, with the legend "Irvin" (for the parachute pioneer) set in a banner of blue enamel. Marked on the verso: "H. W. Miller Ltd., Branston St., 8' Ham. 18, made In England". Fine. Also included is a T.L.S., 1p. 8vo., Aug. 13, 1945, from parachute pioneer Leslie Irvin to M. Allen, on Caterpillar Club letterhead congratulating Allen for his successful parachute jump and transmitting Allen's club membership card and pin, both of which are present. Matted in blue, fine.

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March 18, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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