Beschreibung:

Description: WW2 British Army Air Corps Beret & Insignia of Staff Sergeant Bernard A Osborn “B” Squadron AAC, Veteran of the Battle of Arnhem, who wrote a fascinating and poignant book about his wartime exploits, fine example of a maroon beret having WW2 war economy plastic cap badge. Leather trim to the beret, remains of the original tan lining can be seen on the edge, cut out when serving in Palestine post 1945. Accompanying the beret is his metal AAC cap badge, embroidered wartime cloth glider pilots wings and rank insignia. Also with the grouping is a self published book about his time in the armed forces, his involvement during D-Day on the 6th June 1944, Operation Market Garden (Battle of Arnhem) and post-war service in Palestine. Bernard Osborn was born in Bromley in 1922. In 1943 he was called up for service in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, later moving to the Royal Tank Regiment. After training in tanks he saw an advertisement wanting men to join the newly formed Glider Pilot Regiment, with a fascination for aircraft since a young boy, he applied and was accepted. He trained and qualified as a pilot on the Horsa Glider. On D-Day he was tasked with landing supplies late in the afternoon on June 6th, landing at Ranville. He took off from Manston on 17th September 1944, to take part in Operation Market Garden and the eventual Battle of Arnhem. His glider was carrying men from the South Staffordshire regiment. Due to the issues with the campaign, Osborn and his fellow members of his squadron are ordered to join up with the South Staffs and head to Arnhem Bridge to help out the 2nd battalion Parachute regiment. He ends up being involved in the heavy fighting at Oosterbeek. He managed to survive the action and escaped along with other men across the Rhine river to safety. He continued to serve in the regiment after the war had ended, serving with the unit in Palestine. The current vendor, acquired the items directly from Mr Osborn Categories: Headdress