Posted By Michael Faley on May 22, 2006 at 21:20:17:
In Reply to: Re: 100th BG-A/C 42-30063 PICKLEPUSS shotdown 17AUG43 REGENSBURG posted by Bob Venkus, Col., USAF (Ret.) on May 15, 2006 at 20:41:22:
: My wife and I will be attending the Belgian ceremonies as well. SSgt Frank Tychewicz was my Uncle. He was the "Picklepuss" ball turret gunner. My research supports the version told by Ernie Warsaw, the last living survivor of Picklepuss, who says the plane's gear was down but he did not know it. At his direction, the gunners engaged Luftwaffe fighters moving as if to escort, shooting down several. The remaining fighters overwhelmed Picklepuss near Aachen, killing six of the ten crewmen. The "Legend" of the Bloody 100th was born that day in that manner, but it goes too far in suggesting that the 100th became a special target for Luftwaffe revenge afterward. Ernie will be in Belgium too, and he seems to agree that "singling out" any group: A) Did not happen; and B) Would have been close to impossible given the speeds and chaotic conditions that were common in WWII aerial engagements. Jablonski's book supports Ernie's version; Middlebrook's book tells a different story; and Crosby's book refers to another group ahead of the 100th having a similar incident (without refuting Warsaw's version of what happened to Picklepuss out of sight of the formation lead plane). Bottom Line: there is only one man living that we know was there when it happened. I believe him.
Bob is correct in his observations. I have studied the Regensburg mission from the 100th BG perspective inside out. I have spoken with Ernie Warsaw, Cleven, Veal, Brady, Cruikshank, Wolff, Kidd, Crosby, Henington, Frank Murphy, Big Joe, Albert Frietas, Rich Tangradi, Fienup, Jerome Ferrogiarro and many more about this mission. There are many untold stories from that mission that will see the light of day when our heroes have passed. The story Ernie tells in true about the wheels down incident and it is AWESOME that he will be there for this event. The MACR and the Casualty report can be printed off of our website by going to these pages and typing in Knox
http://www.mcadams.org/fpdb/macr.asp
http://www.mcadams.org/fpdb/100thcasualty.asp
Michael Faley
100th Bomb Group Historian
100th Bomb Group Photo Archives
13th Combat Wing Historian