Posted By Jim Noyes on June 12, 2006 at 16:12:54:
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.
I have some photos that my wife took of you and Ernie and grave of Cpt Knox; are you interested?
Jim