Recent content by b17sam

For a classic example of how so called historians can mess up actual events, click on PBS | Ombudsman | An Enduring Battle about an Old War Sam Halpert

I'm drinking a shot of Jack D neat to celebrate today the 65th anniversary of my 35th and final mission. It was a rough one to Berlin. I may have another shot to toast the memory of the many fine boys from our squadron who failed to return that day. Best wishes to all and particularly to all the...

Check this for a real Merry Christmas Merry Christmas

The bigwigs were not about to discuss policy with guys in my pay grade, but I believe you maay be right in thinking squadron stand downs were for maintenance checks etc. Also it provided needed rest for the crews. There were Group stand downs as well. When the Group stand down days were followed...

Just to clear the record --- It was standard operational procedure (SOP) for heavy bomb groups of the 8th Air Force to stand down in rotation one of their four squadrons on all missions other than maximum effort. On the November 2, 1944 attack on Merseberg, it was the 324th squadron's turn to...

Today, November 2, 1944 marks the 64th anniversary of the massive air battle in the skies over the Merseberg, Leuna Chemical Works and Oil Refinery defended by more flak batteries and Luftwaffe fighters than any target in Germany. Our Bomb Group, the 91st, sent out 36 B17s, 15 failed to return...

Erich ---- Your last post is 100% correct. Now there are 2 of us not sure if I received your stuff on Merseberg. Would you please send that stuff again. Thank you. Check out the full page on my website at B-17 B-24 Pictures Information 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Liberator Ploesti Schweinfurt...

Many thanks, mhuxt, for the exact reply I was seeking. What was the title of the Middlebrook book? Here are a couple of statistics you may find interesting. My bomb group, the 91st, had the most casualties of any group in the 8th Air Force (see link to 8th AF casualties in B-17 B-24 Pictures...

I know that the usual briefed bombing altitude for B17s and B24s was 25000 feet. What was the similar figures for RAF Lancs and Halifaxes

Great mission report. Pulling a B17 out from 400 mph indicated was stupefying! Thanks for the report. For more reports and pictures, click on B-17 B-24 Pictures Information 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Liberator Ploesti Schweinfurt Merseberg Berlin missions

I believe the total of B17 and B24 bombers that failed to return from combat operations came to 3832. Can anyone supply the total figures for Lancaster, Halifax, and Stirling bombers?

Gainesville police installed a new speed camera today linked to a live Browning .50 machine gun to safeguard its citizens from speeders exceeding the local 30 mile per hour speed limit. Illustrated at SpeedCamera

Those of you who haven't seen this before will get a real laugh out of this teaser I posted on my web site years ago. Click on untitled2

Can any of you guys recall if you wore seat pack or chest pack or back pack parachutes on your missions? Thank you.

Free Beer Tomorrow, the 63rd anniversary of my 35th and final mission on 3February45. For full details, click on B-17 B-24 Pictures Information 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Liberator Ploesti Schweinfurt Merseberg Berlin missions There is a rumor flying around that they are organizing a...