75 years ago this week.: The 2nd Schweinfurt raid.

Germans

The ETO was no joke.

Knew a ball turret gunner on it baw

I read that by the time lead planes of the bomber stream were over the target, the tail end were still taking off from bases in England

I can’t imagine the stress of being in the tail then.


Think about it, at the vanguard you have the highest chance of being able to drop your payload and start moving out before primary response.

At the end the heaviest counter force elements have spooled up and are waiting for you.

My first pastor was an 8th AAF B-17 pilot. His reminisces were horrific. Aircraft exploding when their payload took a direct hit. Aircraft hit and out of control hitting another aircraft.

The worst for me was him telling me how much debris was in the air and falling through the formations. Pieces of aircraft, spent shell casings, aircrew abandoning their damaged aircraft, tumbling knees tucked to chest through the formation in hopes of getting through to be able to open their parachutes.
He said many did not make it, some even doing damage to the B-17 they hit.

This may be why I think Twelve O'clock High is one of the best war movies made.

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Twelve O'clock High is one of the best war movies made.

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Paul Tibbets was initially the the military consultant on the film. Yes, THE Paul Tibbets (on whom John Kellogg's character MAJ Joe Cobb was based).

Speaking of life inspiring art - the character of Jesse Bishop was based on real 8th AAF pilot 2LT John C. Morgan, down to an almost verbatim inclusion of Morgan's CMH citation.

Morgan's reads:

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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while participating on a bombing mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe, 28 (sic) July 1943. Prior to reaching the German coast on the way to the target, the B17 aircraft in which 2d Lt. (sic) Morgan was serving as co-pilot was attacked by a large force of enemy fighters, during which the oxygen system to the tail, waist, and radio gun positions was knocked out. A frontal attack placed a cannon shell through the windshield, totally shattering it, and the pilot's skull was split open by a .303 caliber shell, leaving him in a crazed condition. The pilot fell over the steering wheel, tightly clamping his arms around it. 2d Lt. Morgan at once grasped the controls from his side and, by sheer strength, pulled the aircraft back into formation despite the frantic struggles of the semiconscious pilot. The interphone had been destroyed, rendering it impossible to call for help. At this time the top turret gunner fell to the floor and down through the hatch with his arm shot off at the shoulder and a gaping wound in his side. The waist, tail, and radio gunners had lost consciousness from lack of oxygen and, hearing no fire from their guns, the copilot believed they had bailed out. The wounded pilot still offered desperate resistance in his crazed attempts to fly the aircraft. There remained the prospect of flying to and over the target and back to a friendly base wholly unassisted. In the face of this desperate situation, 2d Lt. Officer Morgan made his decision to continue the flight and protect any members of the crew who might still be in the ship and for 2 hours he flew in formation with one hand at the controls and the other holding off the struggling pilot before the navigator entered the steering compartment and relieved the situation. The miraculous and heroic performance of 2d Lt. Morgan on this occasion resulted in the successful completion of a vital bombing mission and the safe return of his aircraft and crew.

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Morgan continued to fly and, like Bishop in the film, was ultimately shot down over Germany and captured. He remains the only U.S. serviceman to become a POW after receiving the Medal of Honor.