Posted By Kevin M. Pearson on September 29, 2007 at 06:43:01:
In Reply to: Gunners in B17E ETO posted by Ed on September 28, 2007 at 09:11:59:
In Freeman's Mighty Eighth War Manual on page 149, he states the crew for a B-17E was 10 men. (I'll take Freeman's word over Jablonski's any day as I have found a number of errors in Jablonski's books.)
According to Freeman, only 42 B-17Es reached the Eighth with the 97th BG(H), the first reaching Prestwick on 1 July 1942, were on combat status for only two weeks before being replaced with F models, had undergone major design improvements in theater, and were relagated to Bovington's Combat Crew Replacement Center as training ships. While at Bovington, some of the E's were at times pressed into service for bombing missions.
Hugh, maybe the 10th man of an E crew was assigned as a result of the field modifications, and I'd be interested in seeing any imperical evidence stating the radio man rode in the nose. The nose was pretty cramped even with the Bombardier and Navigator and I seriously doubt they could have had radio in there -- plus what would they have done with the Radio Compartment in the Es anyway. This is the first time I have heard radio was in the nose and if this is true, I'd really like to know more.
The only thing I have learned about the strategic bombing campaign waged by the Eighth is there were exceptions to every rule.
Blue Skies!
Kevin
: In his book America in the Air War Edward Jablonski mentiones that up to 1942 the crew in a B17E was 9 airmen and that one more gunner was added later on. When was that done ? With the arrival of the B17G or earlier ? Where was this additional crewmember seated ? I know that at least some missions carried 11 airmen in a B17. Why ? High brass going for a ride as observer ? Spare gunner ? Medic ? Secret Agent to be dropped over enemy territory ? Any knowledgeable answer to these questions would be very much appreciated.
: Ed