B17

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by Erich

Jules can you tell us why the diamond back design with the Y was used on the tail surfaces ? also in regard to the tail diamond, I see from the 99th bg web-site that some B-17's had a black diamond with white Y and others in same formation a white diamond with black Y. differences in squadron ?

many thanks

Erich

The change in design was instituted after I left the group. During my time we had a white diamond on a black background with 1 to 4 white vertical stripes under the diamond. the later design still had the roman numeral stripes that denoted the sqdns

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by Henk

Welcome jhor9 to the site.

I would like to know which famous targets did you get to bomb if any and have you been in a raid where there were any Me-262? Wish mission would you never forget?

Henk

My 1st mission 7/19/43 I flew copilot with our sqdn ops officer. Target was Rome marshalling yards, the day before, leaflets were dropped stating that no churches would be hit. At briefing we were told that if there were any malfunctions, not to drop bommbs. 3 newsmen went on the flight, we had Richard Tregaskis with us from Intl News Service. the following day my picture was on the front page of a major New York newspaper.

During my tour the most important target was Weiner Neustadt 30 miles below Vienna . I went there twice, once from Tunis, which was a 14 hour flight

On one of my last missions I was told that a ME262 flew over our group

There were several, but the most memorable was after flying copilot for several missions, I got my crew back and flew left seat. Our target was to Foggia. We had very heavy flak, the lead plane had their controls shot away, but they were able to get to friendly areas where they bailed out. The plane on the other wing had 1 or 2 men killed, my navigator was wounded, when we landed I counted over 100 holes in the plane, It was my baptism under fire.

[syscom3]

Originally Posted by jhor9

I was overwhelmed, on my orientation walk through to the cockpit, my instructor said to his 3 students "take a good look because in 10 days you will take a blinfold test, you will touch each instrument or object that is called off". 10 days later we all had no problem with his test.

Jhor, was that standard practice for the B17 training pilots to have three student pilots under his "wings".

What were the first few training flights like? Go up to altitude and take turns flying around? Did you actually get to stall the plane to get practice in recovery techniques?

[Henk]

Jhor that sound pretty hectic mate. I love hearing those kind of story's.

Thanks for sharing mate.

Henk

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by evangilder

Welcome aboard, jhor9! I am sure I speak for most of us here when I say thank you for your service.

Thank you for posting my avatar
Jules

[the lancaster kicks ass]

hey, my question's more of a cultural one, what was the general American opinion of the British people? and what did you guys think of the RAF?

[loomaluftwaffe]

have any of your gunners shot down a fighter?

[gis-nl]

found this one for the B25, Is this a general book what all bomber pilots have to learn or was for each type off bomber ( like the B17) a different book ?

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by the lancaster kicks ass

hey, my question's more of a cultural one, what was the general American opinion of the British people? and what did you guys think of the RAF?

We considered the RAF groups as we considered a neighboring American group
When I was a cadet in training I roomed with a Brit flying Sgt, we got along very well

[Erich]

Jules looks like you have many questions coming your way .......... excellent !

thank you for answering mine on ID markings and another if I may. I am familiar with Austria but the ops on Wiener Neustadt was defended more heavily by flak or single/twin engine fighters. . ? I imagine your bomb group faced Bf 110G-2's from II./ZG 1 during your war time career of 1943 to late winter of 44 . .

Erich

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by loomaluftwaffe

have any of your gunners shot down a fighter?

My crew got credit for shooting down 6 enemy fighters

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by gis-nl

found this one for the B25, Is this a general book what all bomber pilots have to learn or was for each type off bomber ( like the B17) a different book ?

I really don't remember, but it looks right. while in the U.S. Overseas during combat operations it did not hold true

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by Erich

Jules looks like you have many questions coming your way .......... excellent !

thank you for answering mine on ID markings and another if I may. I am familiar with Austria but the ops on Wiener Neustadt was defended more heavily by flak or single/twin engine fighters. . ? I imagine your bomb group faced Bf 110G-2's from II./ZG 1 during your war time career of 1943 to late winter of 44 . .

Erich

If I remember correctly there were several targets in the area, I think mostly aircraft production. My tour from 7/43 to 2/44, (before Ploesti) the area was the most heaviest defended target we went to, very heavy flak and many fighters. I was told that during my Nov 43 flight we were attacked by over 80 fighters. Incidentally my ball gunner got credit for 2 fighters that day.

[gis-nl]

Originally Posted by jhor9

I really don't remember, but it looks right. while in the U.S. Overseas during combat operations it did not hold true

Tnx for your reply.
It's the same with your driving license, during combat in the big city it do not hold true either

[jhor9]

WINGS of FREEDOM ( B-17, B-24, B-25) Burbank, Ca. April 28- May 2 Friday- Tuesday
Bob Hope Airport Flight reservations 800-568-8924 (Flights are $425 for the 17s and 24s, but $325 and $400 for the 25s. (Tax Deductible Donations) $10 walk through adult


$425? Hmmm That's about what they paid me for flying them for 2 months.