Flea Market Friday: Buzz Bomb Alley

Today was a good day to go yard saling! I only stopped at one, but it was a multi-family sale. (I did pass by a couple others- just too much kid stuff- one was almost 100% teddy bears) Everything was 25 cents a piece, a bargain in many ways, as you shall see:

Some misc.pieces of jewelry, including a pillbox, shell butterfly pin, "V for Victory" pin (not sure if this is period- looks like a repro to me) and PBR bottle opener. (I apologize for the quality of the photos- they were really hard to photograph.)

This is a beautiful rhinestone art deco necklace with all the stones intact. I can't imagine ever getting rid of this, but apparently someone didn't want it...I tried it on and it just lays over your collarbone so perfectly- I can't wait to go somewhere dressy enough to wear it!

Some WWII sweetheart jewelry:

This one is engraved "Loving Mother" on the front and "Buzz Bomb Alley" on the back. The chain is silver, but the engraved part is aircraft aluminum.

A "trench art" cuff of aircraft aluminum, hand hammered and engraved with a bird, heart and a name.

This is my favorite- engraved "Dear Honey" on the front and "Buzz Bomb Alley" on the back. Once again the engraved part is aircraft aluminum, but the chain includes 4 British sixpence coins dated 1942-44.

For a WWII aviation buff like myself, I knew right away what "Buzz Bomb Alley" was, but apparently the seller didn't (or didn't care?). I can't ever imagine getting rid of these pieces if there was a family history behind them. I would guess that these were made by an airman stationed in England during the infamous V-1 & V-2 (German guided missiles, aka "buzz bombs") attacks on London. "Buzz Bomb Alley" was the nickname given to London and the areas south and east of the city, where most missiles were targeted.

For more info and a map: http://www.kentishtowns.com/kentish_towns/in_the_past/doodle_bugs/doodle_bugs_hit_kent.php

Here is a link to an oral history provided by a former airman that experienced the buzz bomb attacks firsthand:
http://www.kwsu.org/WWII/Stories/DonThomas/01aBuzzBombAlley.aspx

I feel fortunate and honored to be the caretaker of these things for the next 50 or so years!