radio operators unite!

[flakhappy]

Although I've used the forumns for a while this is my check-in, I guess. Not sure how I should go about it.
I'm a veteran of a B-17 bomb group (97th) of WWII. As a former radio operator I'd like to know if there are other ex-radio operators out there in this little universe who would like, as the saying goes, to tell old lies amid new realities.

[Micdrow]

Welcome aboard flak happy!!!! May I ask what ship you flew in.

[Doughboy]

Welcome to the forum, sir. Happy posting.

[lingo]

Welcome indeed, flakhappy. You are certain of an attentive audience on this forum.

[diddyriddick]

Welcome aboard, Flakhappy! Thank you for your service.

[Airframes]

Welcome from England, and you indeed have an attentive membership/audience here!

[flakhappy]

Originally Posted by Micdrow

Welcome aboard flak happy!!!! May I ask what ship you flew in.

We weren't assigned to a specific plane, but mostlly flew in a G-model that we named "Magnetic Maggie" because of its proclivity of attracting flak. Her serial was 071, so that's what we called her. Her ground crew chief told me a few years ago that she was still sitting on the field in the summer of 1945. A survivor of all but the wrecking crews.

[Micdrow]

Originally Posted by flakhappy

We weren't assigned to a specific plane, but mostlly flew in a G-model that we named "Magnetic Maggie" because of its proclivity of attracting flak. Her serial was 071, so that's what we called her. Her ground crew chief told me a few years ago that she was still sitting on the field in the summer of 1945. A survivor of all but the wrecking crews.

Many thanks on answering the question. I guess I always thought a crew stayed together unless some one got hurt or otherwise. I had a school teacher years ago that flew in B-17's as a radio man. Sadly at the time I never asked him more questions. He taught at DeVry and his last name was McCarthy.

If you dont mind talking about it I was wondering what the rotation was for B-17's. Did you fly so many missions and then take a break or did you fly all the time till you hit your total. Please do not answer if this makes you uncomfortable as I am a Gulf war veteran and have a Uncle that did three tours in Vietnam and understand.

Paul

[diddyriddick]

Not sure if you've seen this site, Flakhappy....

97th BG

[flakhappy]

Originally Posted by Micdrow

Many thanks on answering the question. I guess I always thought a crew stayed together unless some one got hurt or otherwise. I had a school teacher years ago that flew in B-17's as a radio man. Sadly at the time I never asked him more questions. He taught at DeVry and his last name was McCarthy.

If you dont mind talking about it I was wondering what the rotation was for B-17's. Did you fly so many missions and then take a break or did you fly all the time till you hit your total. Please do not answer if this makes you uncomfortable as I am a Gulf war veteran and have a Uncle that did three tours in Vietnam and understand.

Paul

Crews were assigned to fly when they were needed, and usually the rotation made allowance for proper rest, etc. But if you understand the military way, you know that doesn't always work. We in the 15th AF when I was in Italy flew 50 missions. That translates into 30 actual missions in my case, though I was credited for 51 missions because of the policy of awarding double credit for some missions north of a given parallel of latitude. It made no sense at all: Ploesti, the toughest target we had, brought us credit for one mission!
When my crew arrived at the Amendola base in July, 1944, the sqdn. was short of bombardiers and navigators and bombardiers for some reason and instead of giving our two guys a few training flights to break them in, flew them immediately. On the 21st of July our bombardier flew with a crew to Ploesti and the plane was shot down (we learned later that he was a POW). The very next day our navigatorflew with a crew to Brux, Czechoslovakial, and that plane was lost. (We learned later that he was killed.) :You can imagine the near-terror the rest of us felt when we at last wer assigned to our first missions, scattered among other crews for the first five, as I recall. The sqdn. commander lent us his navigator and bombardier when we began flying missions as a crew.
To illusltrate the irregularity of mission assignments: I was flying with a crew in early December to a target near Vienna. Our fuel tanks on one side were riddled and we had to crash land in then Yugoslavia. Tito's Partisans helped us walk out, and eventually I got back to the sqdn. The crew assignment folks put me on the list to fly the next day! And the next! and the next! I was exhausted, to say the least. A few years ago I asked the guy who was a captain at the time in charge of crew assignments about my experience, and he said it was a very imperfect system and often depended on a bored corporal in the sqdn. office. He said it was his fault, though, and apologized---60 years later.

[Micdrow]

Wow, many thanks flakhappy. This explains alot on a B-25 Im researching. Thank you for answering my questions and thank you for your service

PS Im sure I will come up with more if your willing. Thanks again!!!!
Paul

[ccheese]

Welcome to the forum, flakhappy. I was a radio operator [US Navy], joining in 1951 and retired in '71. In the
early 50's I was assigned to a Composite Squadron (VC-62) at NAS Norfolk, Va. We flew B-25's, B-26's, A-20's
PB4Y-2's, B-17's and quite a few transport and cargo types. I was an Aviation Radioman [AL] until the Navy
decided to do away with the rate, and I had to switch to general service Radioman [RM]. I retired as an E-6.

Welcome aboard....

Charles

[flakhappy]

Originally Posted by Micdrow

Wow, many thanks flakhappy. This explains alot on a B-25 Im researching. Thank you for answering my questions and thank you for your service

PS Im sure I will come up with more if your willing. Thanks again!!!!
Paul

Sure. If I can answer any questions I'll give you my best shot.

[flakhappy]

Originally Posted by ccheese

Welcome to the forum, flakhappy. I was a radio operator [US Navy], joining in 1951 and retired in '71. In the
early 50's I was assigned to a Composite Squadron (VC-62) at NAS Norfolk, Va. We flew B-25's, B-26's, A-20's
PB4Y-2's, B-17's and quite a few transport and cargo types. I was an Aviation Radioman [AL] until the Navy
decided to do away with the rate, and I had to switch to general service Radioman [RM]. I retired as an E-6.

Welcome aboard....

Charles

Nice to be able to talk radio so someone.

[zimmerit5]

Hi Flakhappy,

Greetings to you. Just want to say hello and say thank you for all the sacrifices that you and your generation that served in the war to stop tyranny. Although I was not born till 62 but I realized what my current world would be if tyrants like Hitler, Mussolini and the empire of Japan had prevailed.