What are the meanings of the"libertymen" and "bum-freezer jackets". Thank you !
context:
They ride down into the city. Everywhere the rolling walk of sailors, libertymen in bum-freezer jackets, all conversation at the bellow, and on their arms scruffy whores, loud as their men.
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What are the meanings of the"libertymen" and "bum-freezer jackets". Thank you !

Question

Answer

Libertymen are sailors who have permission to leave their ship and go ashore. Bum-freezer jackets are short (usually more formal) jackets, they are too short to keep the bum warm, hence, bum-freezer.

Answer

This is slang British English particular to the military there. I'm guessing that it's outdated English ( not used today ).