Jocko the Rhesus Monkey

Mascot
Lieutenant Jack Havener of the 344th Bomb Group pretends to be a snake charmer with the groups Rhesus monkey mascot "Jocko". Image by Jack K Havener, 344th Bomb Group.. Associated caption: 'Spoof on a snake charmer. Havener after a shower with Jocko, bucket as a basket and electircal wire as the snake. Flute was bought in Africa. Sept 1944.' media-395859.jpg FRE 7138 Lieutenant Jack Havener of the 344th Bomb Group pretends to be a snake charmer with the groups Rhesus monkey mascot "Jocko". Image by Jack K Havener, 344th Bomb Group.. Associated caption: 'Spoof on a snake charmer. Havener after a shower with Jocko, bucket as a basket and electircal wire as the snake. Flute was bought in Africa. Sept 1944.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 7138 - Lieutenant Jack Havener of the 344th Bomb Group pretends to be a snake charmer with the groups Rhesus monkey mascot "Jocko". Image by Jack K Havener,...

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

Lieutenant Jack Havener of the 344th Bomb Group reads a magazine in his bunk. Image by Jack K Havener, 344th Bomb Group.. Associated caption: 'Havener in his sack in the hut. Night stand and racks & shelving made from empty ammo boxes, Sept `1944.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 344th Bomb Group 497th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Arrived in UK

Newquay, UK

Born

Morocco

Based

Stansted Mountfitchet

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Roger Freeman Collection FRE 7138 & FRE 7135

Jocko the Rhesus Monkey: Gallery (2 items)