Walt Boland's Short Snorter
Nuthampstead 1944/45
Below are scans and photos of Walt Boland's Short Snorters and the 398th men who signed them. They represent a memory of his service in the 398th. Walt Boland was a gunner on the 602nd Leukhard crew
Walt explained that at the Celebration Dinner in the mess hall of the 398th's 100th mission that was held on the 4th and 5th of November 1944, a souvenir 398th Short Snorter was given out. The idea was to attach it to a piece of paper currency from each country you visited and then have your friends sign it.
The front and back of Walt Boland's 398th commemorative 100th mission Short Snorter is on the left. |
Pete Rooney's signature is on the top of the lower left back. Signatures of friends were also placed on the front and back of paper currency to preserve the memory of times past. |
Paper currency of various countries Walt Boland visited during his 398th tour. | This currency with signatures of friends became known as "Short Snorters". |