And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Saturday, June 20, 2020
B-17G 43-38172 of the 8th AF 398th BG 601st BS which was damaged on a bombing mission over Cologne, Germany, on 15 October 1944
All survived except S/Sgt. George E. Abbott, the togglier, who was killed instantly. A togglier dropped the bombs without the use of a bomb sight, by releasing the bombs when the lead aircraft dropped theirs. The seat is the bombardier (togglier) seat, at its normal location, bolted to the floor.
My ex-father in law was one of the glider pilots of WW2. Man, I loved that guy. I really miss him. Salty as all get out but just a big sweety underneath. I was so lucky to know him.
Wonder if the bombardier made it?
ReplyDeleteOnly if he was having coffee with the tail gunner.
DeleteX2
DeleteThe bombardier and navigator bought it on this one. This was one of the aircraft I read about just two days ago on some website.
ReplyDeleteThe chair exists above the nose guns. Native to the plane or place there prior to the photo?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.398th.org/Images/Images_Aircraft_B-17/Aircraft/43-38172-3O-P_19441015_JBk.html
more photos:
All survived except S/Sgt. George E. Abbott, the togglier, who was killed instantly. A togglier dropped the bombs without the use of a bomb sight, by releasing the bombs when the lead aircraft dropped theirs. The seat is the bombardier (togglier) seat, at its normal location, bolted to the floor.
ReplyDeleteMan, I'll bet that bird flew like a washtub on the way back..
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy ex-father in law was one of the glider pilots of WW2.
ReplyDeleteMan, I loved that guy. I really miss him. Salty as all get out but just a big sweety underneath. I was so lucky to know him.
Cancel culture don't recognize these types of contributions, stand tall.
ReplyDelete