Revelation regarding the 91st Bomb Group

**b17sam** · #1 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2005, 05:08 AM

The 91st Bomb Group suffered more losses than any other group in the 8th Air Force, and was second in the number of cases of venereal disease. These sad facts can not be denied, and there may be some who would draw a conclusion from this, but as a veteran of 35 missions with the 91st, I wish to declare, along with some of my buddies, that with a little more effort, we could easily have been the leader in both categories.

Martin Bull · #2 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2005, 07:28 PM

According to Freeman's 'The Mighty Eighth' , the 91st suffered 197 B-17s MIA, thus having the highest loss of all 8thAF Groups. In contrast, the 'Bloody Hundredth' lost 177.

Freeman doesn't mention B17Sam's second statistic and I'm for sure not going to be the one to argue with it !

Otto · #3 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2005, 07:34 PM

This was one of the single most entertaining posts I've read in a looong time, it truly made me laugh out out my friend, thank you.

I took a look at your website, it is very good and quite informative as well. Am I correct in understanding that you are a WWII vet that flew with the 91st, or are you the webmaster of b17sam, or are you both?

**b17sam** · #4 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2005, 09:09 PM

Otto --- It is my unfortunate duty to inform you that I am at present webmaster of www.b17sam.com but many years ago I became personally involved in WWII and in some strange process that mystifies me to this day was actively engaged as a navigator on a B-17 for 35 bombing missions over the 3rd Reich by the 91st Bomb Group, 324th Squadron. The experience affected me in many strange ways, but the website has been good therapy.

Martin Bull · #5 (**permalink**) March 7th, 2005, 06:18 AM

...and wrote a pretty good book, too.....

Heartland · #6 (**permalink**) March 7th, 2005, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by b17sam:
...with a little more effort, we could easily have been the leader in both categories.