[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbNGnMpkwE4&t=391s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbNGnMpkwE4&t=391s[/ame]
B-24 War Story
- Thread starter THE PILGRIM
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[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbNGnMpkwE4&t=391s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbNGnMpkwE4&t=391s[/ame]
Whit
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A gentleman I worked with was a tail gunner on a B-24. While on a mission his plane was jumped by German fighters. My coworker was busy firing at the fighters when the pilot heard him announce over the intercom that he was hit. None of the crew could get to him until they returned to base. After landing the crew got to him pulling him from his position by his feet. When they got him out there was “blood” on his abdomen and he was going into shock. However, he was not hit, rather the bullet had struck a hydronic line covering his abdomen in hot fluid, convincing him that he was wounded. Once the truth was learned he recovered fully. Being in a cramped space with no ability to determine the extent of your “wounds” obviously is enough to cause shock. Thankfully he made it home with no other “wounds”.
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Guy that ran the tool room was a B-24 flight engineer, 8th AF in England. Told me one flight he completed his initial work, went in radio operators compartment, went to sleep on pile of parachutes. All of a sudden someone was kicking him yelling get up! He looked up, it was Major Jimmy Stewart. Stewart told him No One Sleeps on my A/C.
Several years ago, while visiting family and friends in Dayton, it so happened there was a B-24 fly-in at Grimes Field, Urbana, OH. A friend and I made the short drive to Urbana to witness this incredible aircraft gathering, and needless to say, we were not disappointed. My favorite variation was the USMC strafing machine with all those 50 cal machineguns. A close air support monster.
While growing up, my father was stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB three times, not including his post retirement work there. In those early days WPAFB was a SAC base with B-52s, and when they scrambled (2-3 fighter escorts for every B-52) it was a sight (and sound) to behold. That was before the AF was restricted from exceeding the speed of sound over CONUS, but when they rattled our mother's china we would just look at one another and think, The Sound of Freedom.
While growing up, my father was stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB three times, not including his post retirement work there. In those early days WPAFB was a SAC base with B-52s, and when they scrambled (2-3 fighter escorts for every B-52) it was a sight (and sound) to behold. That was before the AF was restricted from exceeding the speed of sound over CONUS, but when they rattled our mother's china we would just look at one another and think, The Sound of Freedom.
DWalt
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There were also B-25s set up as gunships with as many as 12 forward-firing .50s for strafing ground and sea targets. Some even had 75mm guns. Sort the same idea as the A-10
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When firing all guns these B-25 would slow down so much it became a problem.
Back in 80’s-90’s our group got to go inside any A/C at air shows we set up our display.
Dad was a B-24 pilot. The 467th BG (Heavy), based in Rackheath, England.
He said that U.S. air bases in England radiated from London. The later bomber groups were based further out. B-17s, being first to the theater, were based closer to London. With petrol rationing, reporters went to the closer B-17 bases. That's why B-17s got all the press.
He said that U.S. air bases in England radiated from London. The later bomber groups were based further out. B-17s, being first to the theater, were based closer to London. With petrol rationing, reporters went to the closer B-17 bases. That's why B-17s got all the press.
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B-17 V B-24 was/ is all about “ looks”. 17 looks better than a 24. The media back then was the beginning of what we have today. Seems it impossible for most to realize “ The Truth is Stranger than Fiction”.
My Apologies
Once again, my feeble mind got the B-25 Mitchell mixed up with the B-24 Liberator. I do remember getting the T-shirt at the airport.
Once again, my feeble mind got the B-25 Mitchell mixed up with the B-24 Liberator. I do remember getting the T-shirt at the airport.
Not a B-24 story but still interesting. Yesterday I heard the unmistakable sound of large radial aircraft engines. I grabbed my binoculars and there was a B-17 flying over. It had a large "A" on the tail but I haven't been able to ascertain the plane it is.
I had the opportunity to take a flight in a B-17 several years ago and a wonderful memory. Unfortunately it crashed a couple of years later and was destroyed. B-17 Flight
I had the opportunity to take a flight in a B-17 several years ago and a wonderful memory. Unfortunately it crashed a couple of years later and was destroyed. B-17 Flight
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Before Pearl Harbor, actor Jimmy Stewart walked away from his Hollywood career and enlisted in the Army. He fought to get into combat, and became a B-24 pilot, and ultimately retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Brigadier General. The book below is a terrific account of his life and his military service.
Last summer, I did a little road trip, and visited the Jimmy Stewart Museum in his hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania. I went on from there to the National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio, where he's featured as part of an exhibit on actors who served in World War II.
Jimmy Stewart was a great American, and a true patriot...
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Stewart-Bomber-Starr-Smith/dp/0760328242/ref=sr_1_1?crid=D62BMSEYT63D&keywords=jimmy+stewart+bomber+pilot&qid=1658381647&s=books&sprefix=jimmy+stewart+bom%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-1[/ame]
Last summer, I did a little road trip, and visited the Jimmy Stewart Museum in his hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania. I went on from there to the National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio, where he's featured as part of an exhibit on actors who served in World War II.
Jimmy Stewart was a great American, and a true patriot...
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Stewart-Bomber-Starr-Smith/dp/0760328242/ref=sr_1_1?crid=D62BMSEYT63D&keywords=jimmy+stewart+bomber+pilot&qid=1658381647&s=books&sprefix=jimmy+stewart+bom%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-1[/ame]
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Big plus on 8th museum near Savannah. One can spend Hours in their reference library upstairs. Many books and documents on units.
Located beside I-95 with a B-47 outside, ME-262 inside. By chance one is into the 8th, or USAAF in WWII, plan a day to spend there.
Located beside I-95 with a B-47 outside, ME-262 inside. By chance one is into the 8th, or USAAF in WWII, plan a day to spend there.
The National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs was a blast to visit. You never know what they are going to have in their restoration hanger.
LDM
Member
My mother was a "Rosie the Riveter" at a factory in Detroit that supplied the Ford Willow Run plant. She fabricated engine speed rings and wing sections for B-24s.
Used to work with a man who was a B-24 ball turret gunner who was stationed in Libya.
Used to work with a man who was a B-24 ball turret gunner who was stationed in Libya.
Punxsutawney is about 27 miles up U. S. 119 from Indiana, PA. Did you get a chance to go up and see Phil?
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And on the left, a young Kurt Russell!
LOL, old friend that went out to hollywood, got in one movie as an extra, discovered it wasn't for him..
B-25H model had the 75mm canon. It was, I think, a standard M3 75mm canon, single shot. The Navigators second job was to load the canon during attacks, the pilot fired it. Read about The Battle of the Bismarck Sea to appreciate the devastation these B-25 Gunships had on Japanese convoys.
The Douglas A-26 Invader (later block numbers) had up to 18 forward firing .50 cals . Talk about devastating fire power…..
https://aviationtrivia.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Douglas_A26_Invader-1.jpg
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