Posted By Bill Toombs on February 19, 2008 at 16:56:36:
In Reply to: Re: Percent of aircraft shot down by flack in 1943 VS.1944 posted by Kevin M. Pearson on February 19, 2008 at 06:46:49:
: Bill: When were you in the ETO - from when to when? And what was your position?
: Just like Sam, I have interviewed hundreds of air crew, and most hated flak more because there was nothing you could do about it except take it, especially on the bomb run. Sam is also right that many air crew never saw a fighter during their tours in late 44 and 45, but the Luftwaffe was out there. The first time the 8th Heavies went to Belin, the bomber stream was 90 miles long, a mile wide and 1/4 mile high. I can't imagine later in the war when we were putting up over 2,000 a/c per mission. But the Luftwaffe was out there, lurking, and waiting for the Squadron or Group that spread out because of prop wash or got separated on a turn, and then they pounced very effectively. I have researched one mission of the 91st BG on 16.8.44 when six Fortresses of the 324th BS were shot down over 40 seconds when IV.(Sturm)/JG3 noticed they were not holding a tight formation because of prop wash and a turn. Luftwaffe tactics became hit and run, especially with the jet menace, but the Luftwaffe was there. Just read Freeman's Mighty Eighth War Diary for late 44 and early 45 to see claims made by our Fighter Groups.
: One of the more amazing and less known stats from the bombing campaign is that one in seven 8th AF Heavy losses was due to Assembly accidents or returning after a mission. Collisions were a major threat.
: Kevin
Kevin, I went to England in May '44 and came home in Oct.'44. I was the Flight Engineer on "Baby Doll",which was a B-24 and I flew 20 missions on it then in Aug.'44 we changed over to B-17's.
You mentioned midair collisions. I think there were only 3 bombers lost on D-Day and we lost 2 of those by midair collision over the channel while returning home. Roger Freeman made mention of this in his book Mighty Eighth War Diary.
Another thing I would like to mention in regards to enemy fighters.On Sept.12th '44 our group was jumped by fighters after they left the target at Magdeburg,Ger.and the FW-190's and ME-109's knocked down 9 B-17's out of one squadron in about 2 mins. Later, through research by the Lead Pilot, he found these fighters were one of Hitler's Elite Luftwaffe Storm Groups so you can see the Luftwaffe was still very active. Another thing, I missed that mission and flew the next day and we were shot up over Lugwigshaven,Ger.By the grace of god we made it to Brussels,Belg.on #1&2 engs. which were cutting out from over heating. Brussels had been liberated just a few days earlier. We landed close to the airfield in a tournip patch after tearing down some fences.
Enough rambline.
Bill Toombs (493rd BG)