As we all know, bombers played a major part in the war in all theatres. I think being assigned to a bomber group was one of the most dangerous assignments one could get. Bombers were easy targets for fighters and flak.

For a bomber crew to be successful with the mission they had to fly low and into flak. If they were too high when the payload was released it would often drift off target.

There is no way of knowing how many bombers were lost due to friendly fire when flying in tight formations.

My hat goes off to the bomber crews. They were always in the thick of it. I thought I'd start off with a photo of the British Mosquito medium bomber after following another thread here about the Mosquitos. What an awesom machine with a big history in WWII, don't you think?

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Of course the Stuka had a reputation all its own.
Here is a formation of Stukas in Russia.

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

The B-25 Mitchell saw action in all theatres. I had a neighbor who flew one of these in the Pacific and in China. Thousands of sorties were flown by this medium bomber. Many were lost in the raid over Polesti when they flew so low small arms fire could take one out.

Of course Doolittle hit Japan with a group of these that took off from carriers. The B-25 has one hellava history in WWII.

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

Another B-25.

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

Those are fine looking pictures mott5.
I agree the crews had dangerous jobs and really did not get the attention that fighter pilots did. And it is true that many heavies were lost due to the higher groups dropping bombs on the lower groups and gunners firing without regard to what is past the fighter they are shooting at.

And anouther problem the bomber crews have to put up with is the second guessers that want to say dropping the A-bomb was wrong and Bomber Harris was wrong in his actions to end the war in Europe.

I've noticed too that bomber crews always get less attention from the press than fighters in all countries during the war. Much fewer stories about Japanese, Russian, German , British , French , and British bomber pilots as opposed to fighter pilots.

Post some more pictures, those were really good. [img]graemlins/rk.gif[/img]

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A small correction: B-24's flew over Polesti not B-25's

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The Japanese had their famous "Betty" bomber. I could not find a picture of the period, but I found this very detailed wonderful model.

Picture problems . . . sorry

[ 09. August 2004, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: mott5ranch ]

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

TA I thought B25's were at Polesti as well. I knew most were B24's and I also thought I read a few B17s were in the mission as well. I could be wrong.

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

I find it ironic that (even though I agree with you 100%, unescorted bombers were relatively 'easy' targets) you put this sentence explaining the role of bombers and you put a picture or a DeHavilland Mosquito up. The sentence above is quite the opposite when you are talking about the Mosquito.

I agree, what an awesome aircraft!

There were a number of raids on Polesti but as far as I know all were made by the B-24. The B-25 did not have the range to go round trip.

A good account by a B-24 tail gunner is at http://members.aol.com/HizBeluved/WW...yres/Ayres.htm

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actually the Mossie was not that hard of a prey to knock down. Interception was a problem granted, but once in sight it was easily terminated..........more in our book "Moskito-jagd über Deutschland"

E ▼

'What happened to the patient, Nurse ?'
'We don't know, doctor....he mumbled something about holding his breath waiting for Erich Brown's book, then he sort of lapsed into a trance....'

[ 04. August 2004, 01:23 AM: Message edited by: Martin Bull ]

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

My missus' Great Uncle volunteered to be a tail gunner in the RAF (he told me the other day that even during the war everyone knew it was a pretty suicidal job being a tail gunner, but he thought "I'd give it a go as I was a bit bored..."), but his Sargeant pulled him back as he walked forward when they called for volunteers, apparently the Sgt didnt want to lose the best boxer and the best 'liberator' in the unit...

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"Watch that Fu*ker, he'll 'ave someones eye out!" King Harold at Hastings 1066.

Hey I think the guy lying down is me when I had my Hernia operation.............good one Martin !

(Sorry for drifting slightly OT)

Erich,

Will your book only be available in German or will it be published in English too?

What is this?
a.) a tail gunner in the forward position
b.) navigator dropped the map
c.) bombadier takes his job too seriously
d.) looking for the missing book

Whatever it is it's in a B-25!


[ 09. August 2004, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: mott5ranch ]

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

Here is a replica Nikijima "Kate" bomber in CAF squadron.

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

Here she is flying . . . the CAF is in Texas. Originally known as the Confederate Air Force (and in some places it still is).

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

aha B-25 ? looks a little altered to me. no full glazing on the forward nose, where's the upper turret ?, no clear drop tail position and check the tail, upward cant and no tail rudders..........hmmmmmmmmmmm

The Me-110 also called the destroyer by the Germans saw a lot of action during the war. Many were lost on the runways towards the end of the war. Superior numbers allowed the allies to follow the enemy home and take them out when they landed.

I'm having photo problems again. I'll play with it later.

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

The above moon shot, from what I've been told, is from a replica and semi-restored B-25. This plane was pieced meal put together. The later versions had this type of tail, especially the ones used in Korea in the 50's. As far as the guns in the turrent . . . all it takes is money.

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Beer, it's not just for breakfast!

Douglas A-26 Invader. Used very late in WWII, alot in Korea, and alittle in early Viet Nam and were supposed to be used in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba circa 1961.

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I almost agree with Ta on the apic, as it appears to me as an Invader but probably not.
In my opinion the Bf 110 was more suitable as a night time destroyer agasint RAF bombers as well as an US bomber killer provided not P-47/P-51 escorts were in the area. The payload for a 110 bomber was almost worthless.......

Modified A-26's were also used as skip bombers along with the B-25, the A-20. These bombers were modified and given something like 8 .50- cal. machine guns (six more than normal), which took up the space used by the .30-cals and the bombardier's station in the normal versions of the bombers. Used primarily in the pacific,and flying at very low altitudes, they were very effective.

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