Picture of the day.

[syscom3]

Yes. I think the pilot and copilot were also killed.

 

[v2]

Mayday!

 

[GrauGeist]

If I remember correctly, I think that the bombardier and navigator was killed, with the rest of the crew becoming POW....

You're correct, all but the navigator and bombardier survived.

That's "Mizpah" 42-32109 of the 480th BS, 483rd BG, 15th AF on a bombing mission to strike the Shell refinery at Budapest, Hungary on 14 July 1944. While plying in #2 position, took a direct 88 hit to the nose, killing the bombardier, Kenneth W. Dudley and navigator, Joseph H. Henderson Jr. instantly. The debris passed up and over the aircraft, missing the tail. The pilot, Ewald A. Swanson and co-pilot, Paul W. Berndt were not injured, but managed to hold the ship level for almost 10 minutes before deciding to bail out themselves along with Gramenzi (sub-zero temps and the ship wanting to stall was the reason for giving up), the other five crewmen had bailed out earlier.

The surviving crew were all captured and taken POW: Swanson (pilot)and Berndt (co-pilot) went to Luftstalag III and the rest of the crew: Frank V. Gramenzi (engineer), George J. Simonelli (radioman), Arnold R. Kelley (armorer), Wesley D. Tucker (gunner), Charles W. Bell Jr. (armorer) Dale R. Hish (waist gunner), went to Luftstalag IV.

The photo was taken by Bob Orton (waist gunner) aboard "Joanne" 42-109849 flying #5 position.

 

[syscom3]

PT boat with dazzle camoflauge. This gives me a headache just by looking at it.

 

[Lucky13]

PT boat with dazzle camoflauge. This gives me a headache just by looking at it.

View attachment 255908

Same here! Ouch!

 

[Airframes]

Wow! It certainly works as intended!

 

[Njaco]

Does it work for this German artillery unit?

.

 

[Hotntot]

That's Prof. R.V. Jones.

Read up about him and all the others involved in aerial PI work during the war in Allan Williams's book Operation Crossbow, published last year - Preface Publishing (UK).

Image sources:
NCAP
home Index
The National Archives

 

[Hotntot]

Njaco -Does it work for this German artillery unit?

Err - nah! what were they thinking? Bored on one glum afternoon?

 

[Airframes]

They were doing their part-time job, patrolling the local Safari Park.

If you want to learn more about the work done by R.V. Jones, get his book 'Most Secret War'. The TV documentary series from the 1970's was based on the book, and it covers almost everything in as much detail as was possible at the time of writing, bearing in mind that much was still covered by the Official Secrets Act, and the 30 Year, 70 year etc Rule at the time.

 

[Hotntot]

His title is mentioned in Williams's book so will look it up. Thought it might be worth seeking out Constance Babington Smith's 'Evidence in Camera' book as well (and it would have been under the same restrictions).

 

[Njaco]

18 JUNE 1944: A German Tiger tank on its side in a ditch, north of Rome, and an American lorry in the background driving past.

.

 

[vikingBerserker]

I wonder what happened to it.

 

[Lucky13]

I think that USS Bunker Hill, is the flattop burning in the background....

 

[GrauGeist]

...and an American lorry in the background driving past.

Looks like a Deuce-and-a-half to me...

 

[Airframes]

I wonder what happened to it.

Either knocked out, broken down, or immobilised after running out of fuel, then bulldozed off the road by the Allied forces. When vehicles, particularly tanks, were bulldozed to one side, they invariably ended up on their side.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Thanks, that makes sense.

 

[Airframes]

You're welcome David. Just noticed it's got evidence of fire damage up the front of the gun mantle, so probably knocked out - or set alight by the crew.

 

[GrauGeist]

Wreckage of a Bf109 in a field, downed during the battle of the Bulge, December 1944.

 

[syscom3]

Spare and surplus USAAF aircraft at Bari Airfield, Italy, Oct 1945. Note the C47 on the right with what looks like a Russian Insignia.