Milton Lange knows the term "taking flak" - as a B17 turret gunner in the 305th Bombardment Group he saw his share of flying metal. Flak was the bane of the bomber's existence. Crews had flak jackets, much like bullet-proof vests, and they proved useful: One of the officers took a piece of flak to his chest and fell silent. Crew members rushed to help him, only to learn that shrapnel had cut the line of his radio set. In 1944 and 1945 bombing gear was not automated, but manual - problems had to be fixed with tools while the bomb bay doors were open, tens of thousands of feet above the ground. Taylor Daily Press: Taking flak: WWII gunner, bombardier shares his story
Another case of the ordinary man doing extraordinary things. None of these guys were "ordinary" as far as I'm concerned.