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..... the first two out of Lead aircraft were "smoke markers".....
They were dedicated for the purpose. A cylinder shape with tail fins filled with white phosphorous.What did these look like Bill? Were these dedicated for the purpose or were they attached to the bombs somehow?
Thanks for posting the photo.Here's what they looked like:
View attachment 498837
Source: Flickr, original source unknown
B-17Gs of the 546th Bomb Squadron drop their loads on the rail yards at Elsterwerda, Germany 19 April 1945. Note the smoke marker dropped by the lead aircraft signaling the remaining aircraft to drop their bombs.
Note: Elsterwerda is north of Dresden, about 1/3 of the way from Dresden to Berlin.
They were dedicated for the purpose. A cylinder shape with tail fins filled with white phosphorous.
Pardon my language but HOLY CRAP! Let's fly over enemy territory and let them fire AAA at us while we're carrying big cans of WP in the belly! That would almost frighten me more than having a load of live bombs in there...almost.
Just add one more notch to the bomber crews' list of bada$$ery. Bill Runnels, you and your fellow "bomber boys" (both American and British) have not only my respect and admiration, but I'm completely in AWE. The things you guys did on a regular basis would put most guys under a table, curled up in a fetal position, nowdays.
Strange as it may seem, we were not the least bit concerned about the bombs etc. as they were a safe cargo. One of my duties prior to take off was to inspect the armature wire installation to be sure they extended through each bomb fuse at least three inches. If in place there was little chance of an accidental detonation while in flight. Our real concern was the cold temperature and use of oxygen for an extended period of time at altitude.Pardon my language but HOLY CRAP! Let's fly over enemy territory and let them fire AAA at us while we're carrying big cans of WP in the belly! That would almost frighten me more than having a load of live bombs in there...almost.
Just add one more notch to the bomber crews' list of bada$$ery. Bill Runnels, you and your fellow "bomber boys" (both American and British) have not only my respect and admiration, but I'm completely in AWE. The things you guys did on a regular basis would put most guys under a table, curled up in a fetal position, nowdays.
-Irish