My experience in 99th Bomb Group B17 WW2

I was a B17 pilot, flew out of Tunis and Foggia, Italy 12th and then 15th AF

Welcome Jules and a very big heart felt thank you for your service in World War II.

Words are not enough.

Marek

 

As a pilot with the 99th from 7/43 to 2/44, 50 missions If you have quesrions, I will try to answer

 

jhor9...Have you flown a B17 since you left the forces?

Do you think that if you were to sit in one today it would all come back to you and you could fly it?

 

Hi Jules!

Well, My question is How old are you when you were in the USAAF?

 

Jules
Have you ever been back to any of your old air-strips or been to see any of your old targets after the war?
Was 50 missions the limit in the Med ?
It was lower for crews flying from the UK wasn't it?

I;ve been to Italy 3x since WW2. I visited Naples and Rome which I bombed. I also went back to Capri which I visited in Dec 1943 (rest camp) 2nd and 3rd time it was not the same.

50 missions was cosidered a tour in the Med, in the UK it was 25, they were tougher in the UK . We were in short supply of planes and crews, UK was getting it all

 

Ah! The old 15th AF "Diamondbacks".

Please... What BS were you assigned to?

To answer Morse's question... Presumably the B-17D.

Morse &Pte

In transition training 12/42-2/43 I flew C,D,and E models. I flew an F from the states to my group, near the end of my tour I flew a G several times.
I was in the 348th sqdn

 

jhor9,

Thankyou for your service..

Often seen it written that the US Army had a bad time of it and not highly thought of my other Aliied infantry during the North African Campaign, being relitive newcomers and inexpereinced. Though myself I think its a credit to the US Army and Airforce that it grew so quickly and reached such a high standard in such a short time, I find it fascinating how the 'Yanks' got up to speed so quickly. Did you find the same thing in the airforce? Did you find it hard at first? Did you have much contact with other Allied aircrew?

Regrds

Kev

My training until I got my wings was very good. My B17 transition training was very good, my crew training before going overseas was very poor. All on paper , just cross country flying to get fuel for the next crew who did the same thing
I had no contact with other allied aircrew

 

Nice of them, i think. As i understand it the RAF crews always considered Italian targets to be Milk Runs. Was that the same for the USAAF?
Yes and no. The guy that got shot down on a milk run, that was his toughest mission

 

Hi Jules!

Well, My question is How old are you when you were in the USAAF?

I enlisted when I was 20+ I flew combat when i was 21-22

 

Nice to see you back here again Jules,
When was the last time you flew a plane?
Or are you still keeping your hand in?
Did you get to mix much with the locals?
Did anyone take home a GI bride or just a camel?


About 7-8 years ago after helping with refurbishing a B17, I was invited to have a ride. The owner/pilot invited ti take the controls for about 10-15 minutes, it was a great experience after 60 years.

No, I just go out to the Collings planes when they come through my area each Feb

In Africa I never went near the locals for many reasons, In Italy I couldn't speak the language, Don't know of anyone that took anything home. I returned to the US by myself in Feb 1944

 

jhor9, how often did you fly with the same crew?

Reviewing this site, I'm sorry that I didn't answer your question.
After several missions as copilot to get combat experience, I got my original crew back. We flew together until we finished our tour

 

You have my respect dude. Post some of your memories and stories for us like Sapper has. Please?
Kitty
Kitty,
I was in active service for 3 1/2 years, I have many memories. You have to ask specific questions.

 

Jules,
Did you volunteer or were you drafted?
Did you always want to fly bombers or were you hoping for a fighter?

I was not drafted, I never registered , I was too young.
I just wanted to fly. Since I was sent to twin engine school in training I knew that I wasn't going to fighters. I asked for A20s Havoc, but was told that there was a more pressing need for heavy bombers

 

The film about them was shown on British TV a couple of years ago. Are they not mentioned in the Film Memphis Belle?

Memphis Belle was in the UK and finished their 25 tour in early '43 or late '42. Tuskeegee Airmen were in the Med theater much later, in mid '44

 

My combat tour was from 7/43 to 2/44 I flew 50 missions over Europe. I was based in Tunis and later in Foggia,Italy.
Ask specific questions and i will try to answer.

 

Hi Jules,

What was your impression of the quality of the B-17 compared to other allied bombers during the war? In particular the B-24 and Lancaster.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

Hi Jules,

What was your impression of the quality of the B-17 compared to other allied bombers during the war? In particular the B-24 and Lancaster.

Thanks,
Aaron

I loved the B17, It was easy to fly, and it was able to take much punishment in combat. The B24 was our best escort, when they were along on missions enemy fighters wouldn,t bother us , they went after the 24s, I guess they were easier to shoot down. The Germans were interested in their score.