Jocko the Rhesus Monkey
MascotIWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Jocko was a Rhesus Monkey and one of the many squadron mascots of the 344th Bomb Group.
Jocko was purchased by Joe Lane who bought him from an ATC pilot while waiting at St Nawgan airfield, Newquay, Lands’ End, Cornwall for the weather to clear after the hop up for Marrakech, Morocco in late February 1944. The ATC man had bought the monkey from a kid in Natal but decided he was too much trouble to keep.
Jocko was baby-sat by any hut who had the courage to look after him while Joe was flying or on leave, so most of the airmen became attached to the mischievous little devil.
The Squadron Flight Surgeon, Captain Harry Prudowsky made sure the monkey had plenty of vitamins and shots to carry him through the winter and spring. He made it OK.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 344th Bomb Group 497th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Stansted
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Arrived in UK |
Newquay, UK | ||
Born |
Morocco | ||
Based |
Stansted Mountfitchet |