Brown’s Clowns – The History of a B17 Bomber Crew Page 3
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 by Bud Vieth Jerry Brown recommended Walter Peters for a Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts on this mission. We were all delighted that Pete was awarded this medal. Our crew visited downtown Brussels that night. The populace were still celebrating their liberation, and we […]
Brown’s Clowns – The History of a B17 Bomber Crew Page 2
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 by Bud Vieth This mission convinced Brown’s Clowns that B-17s were not intended for tactical support missions. We flew at a low altitude to bomb enemy troop concentrations. Our altitude was much too low, and our heavy bombers became sitting duck targets for flak gunners […]
Brown’s Clowns – The History of a B17 Bomber Crew Page 1
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 by Bud Vieth What follows is a brief history of the World War II B-17 bomber crew led by Captain Gerald Brown of Los Angeles California. The crew was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group (351st Squadron) of the Eighth Air Force, and flew missions […]
North Sea Catch – Bradford
by Donald Bradford I was leading a unit of six boats across the North Sea, bound for the coastline of Holland. We were expecting to meet a large Southbound enemy convoy in which was a big supply ship that had been fitted out for the blockade running to Japan. Our orders were to sweep the […]
B-17 Serial Numbers
Note: Boeing built aircraft numbered from 231932 and including 232000s, 297058 to 297407, 2102000s, 337000s, 338000s and 339000s. Douglas built aircraft numbered from 2106984 and including 2107000s, 46000s, and 485000s. Vega (Lockheed) built aircraft numbered from 297436 and including 298000s, 48000s, and 485000s. Type Manufacturer Serial No # Range Y1B-17 Boeing 36-149/36-161 Y1B-17A Boeing 37-369 B-17B […]
Excerpts From Behind the Wire – Page 3
by Arnold A. Wright Previous McCRIGHT WENT BACK TO USING 1411 TO BEGAN VOLUME 3 LIST OF POWS 1411. SALA, ROBERT 0681204 USAAF 139/11 PILOT 4921 QUINSLEY B-26 CHICAGO, ILL. 6167 5-28-5 DULAG LUFT 6-4 TO 24 STALAG LUFT 3 6-28-44 HIT BY FLAK. SHIP SET FIRE IN RADIO ROOM, NAVIGATOR COMPARTMENT. BAILED OUT- LANDED […]
Excerpts From Behind the Wire – Page 2
by Arnold A. Wright Previous | Next THE FOLLOWING PERSONAL OF THE USAAF WERE RETAINED AT BUCKENWALD OCTOBER. 19, 1944. 1LT BECK, P49 PILOT; BECK HAD CONTACTED PNEUMONIA FROM SLEEPING OUTSIDE HIS BARRACKS ON ROCKS UPON ARRIVAL, AUGUST 20, 1944. 1LT E. L. VINCENT, CAPTURED FRANCE 8/5/44. SHOT DOWN ON SCHWEINFURT RAID, OCTOBER 14, 1943 […]
Excerpts From Behind the Wire – Page 1
by Arnold A. Wright Next AUGUST 5, 1944, T/SGTS A. M. PACHA, D. A. SHEARTER, D. F. SUDDOCK, R. N. HORRIGAN, S/SGTS; B. A. COATS, L. H. HEIMERMAN, R. T. JOHNSON, E. F. LUDWIG, F. MARTINI, L. O’MASTERS, S.K.PAXTON, L.V. PELLETIER, L.J. REYNOLDS, T. G. RICHEY, E. W. RITTER, E.L. YALLE, L. R. WATSON, W. […]
Attacked Over the North Sea
by Theodore J. Don – 100thBG Theodore J. Don 100th BG Photo Archives On the morning of 24 September 1943 we were alerted for a trip to Stuttgart. Adverse weather canceled the mission and we all retired to our sacks. It was almost noon when we were recalled and quickly briefed for a hurried practice […]
Owen Roane: Blitz Week
by “Cowboy” Roane On the eighteenth of July we were alerted for a mission to Kassel, a target far inside Germany and of course it would be far beyond the range of our friendly fighters. Just before the flight was to take off, it was cancelled due to reports of poor weather lingering over the […]