WW2 355th Fighter Group Souvenir Lighter

This small souvenir desk lighter stands about 2 1/2" tall and was made during the 355th Fighter Groups occupation of Germany after WW2.

The was never used and is in excellent condition.

The 355th Fighter was originally equipped with P- 47s and then in 1944 converted to the P-51. The group had a distinguished war history, destroying or damaging over 1,500 enemy planes. It also provided fighter cover during the Normandy Invasion.

In July of 1945 it was transferred from its base in England to Germany for the occupation. This lighter was made in Germany between July 1945 and August 1946, when the Group was transferred to New York and soon after deactivated.

The bottom contains German wording for legally protected, which is similar to the US copyright protected or patent information.

Scott