Posted By Hugh on September 28, 2007 at 10:18:21:
In Reply to: Gunners in B17E ETO posted by Ed on September 28, 2007 at 09:11:59:
Ed,
I am certainly not an expert, but as I remember, in the B-17Es, the RO was in the nose with the Nav and Bombardier. In the F models, the RO was relocated back of the Top Turret and he received a single mg to operate from that position. Later on, probably in the Gs, it was again removed and the crews were downsized to 9 men. The 11th man could have been Brass. Early on, the Command Pilot sometimes sat on a "jump seat" between and behind the two pilots. Later, the CP usually sat in the Co-pilots seat and the Co-pilot displaced the tail gunner. The Co-pilot became a formation control officer from the tail gunner position. I have also heard of photographers being a 11th man as well as "Mickey" operators and German speaking intell officers on board. I don't think any operatives or "Joes" were dropped while on a bombing mission. These were usually dropped on special "Carpetbagger" missions. Maybe someone else can futher comment or correct me. Keep in mind very few situations were etched in granite, things were pretty fluid during the course of the war. Hope this helps.
Hugh