You kinda feel bad for this crew[:(]
One of the many reasons I have alot of respect for fighter pilots.
Another image that makes me feel for the crew is of a B-24. It’s movie footage of a Liberator either taking a flak hit or a bomb from a Liberator above it, hitting it right by the port wing root and the wing just folds and the plane roles over. it’s footage you see a lot on various WWII documentries.
Seen the pic many times before, but worth another look.
Regards, Rick
The one that gets me everytime I see it is the series of pics of a lower group B-17 out of position getting one of it’s horizontal stabilizers torn off by a bomb dropped from a Fortress directly above him…
yeah but at least that B-17 made it back with only 1 horizontal stabilizer but you ever hear the one about the B-17 tail section that made it to the ground intact with the tailgunner still alive and totally dumbfounded.
The aircraft in that photo was ‘Wee Willie’, a B-17G-15-BO (serial - 42-31333, coded LG-W) from the 322nd BS, 91st BG.
The date was April 8th, 1945 and ‘Wee Willie’, the oldest operational aircraft in the 91st with over 120 missions (128, I believe), took a direct hit from flak, taking the port wing off, with the results you see below…
I have conflicting references, but this was either the last or the second last 91st BG aircraft to be lost in the war. Miraculously, some of the crew were able to escape, including the pilot, 1st Lt. Robert Fuller.
Fade to Black…
Mikey…
Actually I am pretty sure I read somewhere that the Fortress I made mention of also went down…the loss of control was too much for the pilot…
My Dad brought back his Lancaster after a raid over germany with a cut up shoulder & back after taking a flak hit.Thankfully,all his crew made it & i have nothing but the utmost respect for all the veterans off all the wars,conflicts,ect.
Incidentally,i read in the paper the other day that no Bomber Command or Allied Airforce veterans were invited to the Dresden commemerations.My Dad never talked about the war but was visibly moved by documentaries on tv.I know this was’nt in the thread,but,i’m proud of my Dad & all the other heroes.
Merv
Wasn’t it a B-26? I’ve seen the footage too during The Italian campaign in “World at War”, bombing Casino. I could be wrong, wouldn’t be the first time.
Spike - you have every right to be - I share a feeeling - no memorial - no medal - just political correctness!!
Eric,
I’m sure it was a B-24. While searching for it I found a forum from a couple years ago talking about it.
They showed the B-24 clip twice during History Channel’s P-51 documentary. I think it was on Friday… Anybody else watch it?
That type of footage never fails to give me chills. I can’t help but to think to myself “Rest In Peace” for the crews that couldn’t make it out
Yeah - the actual footage of aerial combat and the horriffic results are always awful to see. I’ve seen that footage of the B-24…a huge fireball trails the aircraft as it’s rolling over with it’s wingtips trying to touch.
Thanks for posting the pic, mate.
It took stronger men to get the job done back then. My Grandfather was a WWII radio operator (from what I’ve been able to piece together) but it’s unknown what type of bomber he was on. He never spoke of it, and I didn’t want to ask.
Steve-o, you are the man! You are always right on the spot with the story behind the image.
Got any photos of a VF-161 F-4S?
Ray
That is horrible… I always have thought, and still do, that air war is far more impersonal than land war. what about you guys? sea war is even more impersonal I think…
It makes me think how lucky I am,all my family members that served came home in one piece.
it is simply amazing the brutality of WWII, every aspect. gotta respect our aging WWII vets and what they endured and gave of themselves.