Faith under fire in the Pacific skies

One time their engine quit while on a bombing mission to Bougainville.
"We don't know whether an air bubble got in the line or a fuel pump lost its prime, but here we are at 12,000 feet and no engine," Harris said.
Their altitude dropped fast, the plane in a glide. Munda, New Georgia, had the closest airfield, and at the moment it seemed out of reach.
For more, check out this feature on a WWII Marine gunner in a SBD Dauntless.
http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2015/08/02/wwii-veteran-recalls-harrowing-dive-bombing-missions-pacific/30900269/

 

Nice article, David. Thanks for sharing it here.

 

Thanks to you both, Tommy and Lou, for your kind comments. What a thrill it was to hang with Mr. Harris.

 

normally, planes to not dive at steep angles to the ground...at great speeds.....add that you are over the enemy, where if you get shot down, if you survive, it would be horrifying!...Salute to those men