OT: WWII Bombers

[Humper]

There is a reason they are referred to as ....The Greatest Generation

[Brady]

Great stories guys.

I still need to get Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation".

[Derrik]

My grandfather as well.... He was the left waist gunner on the B17 - Dinah Might II. Shot down (near Todendorf, Germany) and was a POW for more than one year. Several years ago he gave me a brief 7-8 page narrative, including pictures, of what he went through (flying, fighting and prison) along with a straight razor that he traded a guard a carton of cigs for. Amazing stories and an amazing individual.

[Rickzilla4645]

Heads up guys ...last day for rides in Denton today...outbound for Dallas Love Field tomorrow about noon and then on to Houston Hooks Field $400 for seats up front and $325 for aft seats..they generally stay on location about 3 total days....owned by a foundation and all ride fees are tax deductable....R1820's on the B-17 not R2800's I stand corrected...

[Humper]

The B-17 flew over my house about 15 minutes ago. Talk about a thrill to see a rare bird like that. I didn't have time to get a camera

[Mister Bubba's bulletman]

One of my uncle was an Navy airplane mechanic and then went to work as an engineer building Boeing Jets after the war.

Another uncle flew bombing runs into China received a Navy Cross and a Purple Heart plus plus free shrapnel as a daily reminder.

Another uncle was Claire Chenault's secretary in China with the Flying Tigers. When they finally made it out of China he was 6' 3" and 118 lbs.

My dad was a military adviser in Vietnam during the 50's and at one time had in his possession the entire French Indochina air force.

My brother is an Air Force vet.

Every time I see one of those old planes I think of the sacrifices brave men and women made during WWII and are making now.

Thank a vet for their service every chance you get.

[Africanbowhunter]

Major Pat O'Brien Texas Air National Guard

pat O Brien Dad to Tim O'Brien flew 262 mission in WWII Italy North Africa France German in P 47 P 51 and P-38 lighting


he held the speed Record from El Paso to San Antonio in 59 min 01 second flying a P-38

in Korea he flew 100 more Mission in F 84 thunder jets,

in japan after Korea he was Killed on his second Mission ina dog fight with MiG 15. he flew 364 Combat missions.

he left 3 boys & my mothers little sister BONNIE a widow at age 29.

Mike Tim & Jimmy O'Brien


Tim Owns O/Brien's in Bergheim

Jimmy makes Jimmy O marinades and sauces.


tink

[TnTexas]

Taking my Dad to Tyler on the 24th for a ride on the B-17. He is 86 and served with a squadron of p-47's and P-51's in North Africa, Italy and Germany. He is really excited about the flight. Those old Warbirds are really something to see. The sound from their engines is awesome.

[bowhuntertex]

There were a couple of guys in Breckenridge that used to have several war birds. I got to fly/fly in several of them. Always fun and lots of history to experience.

Heck Don you were part of that history.

[ZZ Pops]

My father flew left waist gunner on a B-17 for the 8th Air Force. He had to bail out of a burning plane that was shot up by an ME-109. Most of the crew were killed. He was not flying with his regular crew but was a substitute on another aircraft the day he went down. He later learned that his plane, The Seventh Son" was shot down the next day, and most of his crew mates died.

Dad spent over 13 months as a German POW

A couple of years before he passed on, the Confederate Air Force flew into Austin for a static display, so I took Dad out to see the B-17 at Austin Municipal Airport. The folks there were very nice and had him sign their guest register as a former crew member and WWII veteran. We were allowed to tour the inside -- they said that we didn't have to worry about the donation they usually asked from people, but we donated, anyway. That was the only time I ever saw my Dad with tears in his eyes, as it was the first time that he had been in a Flying Fortress since the day he was shot down.

We stayed until they had to take off, watching the ground crew turn the props to pump oil into the engine and help to get all four of them started. That was quite a thrill for me and Dad, too, since he said that starting the engines was one of his pre-flight jobs during the war. I was very glad that he agreed to go with me that day.

I suspect that the good people who keep those grand old warbirds flying will never know how much it means to the surviving veterans to see them once again in all their glory. God bless them.

[Phdan]

My Pa flew bombers over china in WWII. God I miss him. One of America's best.

[Rickzilla4645]

Yes they do, and every aircraft that is still flying is a tribute to their day and time...I have really enjoyed reading all of the stories you guys have posted here...as I have enjoyed watching the "bombers" fly the past few days...I got a chance to mingle with the crowd yesterday, young and old alike all eyes waiting for them to come to life one more time...the guys on this tour pay their own way, except for hotel rooms, and I have seen them work nonstop all night swapping engines on a strange ramp with not much support equipment...we give them what they ask for and they return it promptly when they are done...next year they will be back...trust me they know....

[Bill]

ZZPop, by any chance did your Dad fly in the 384th Heavy Bomber Group in 8th Army Airforce?

[Little Shark]

Saw one flying over my house the other. Day it was pretty SWEET!!
I tried to grab the camera but they where gone.

[ZZ Pops]

Bill in San Jose'
He was in the 96th BG, 339th Sqdn, flying out of Snetterton-Heath, England. The Fortress he had to bail out of was #42-39988, "Old Iron ***". Their mission was to bomb Berlin and they were shot down over Germany near Frankfort.

Most people don't realize that more American air crew lives were lost over Europe than all American forces combined lost in the Pacific theater. It must have been a nightmare every time those guys crawled into a ship and headed out on a mission.