Unbelievable.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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Unbelievable.
YouTube - B-17 flying fortress defending against fighters World War II
Heros? I think so.
Heros? I think so.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: McKenzie River
Great stuff, Thanks!
The Germans took air defense very seriously.........B-17 crew was NOT a enviable job.
German fighters did not mess around with .30 or .50cal machine guns, they used 20 and 30mm cannon that were devastating to other aircraft. A few good hits brought a bomber down, a few hits shredded a P-51.........Yeah, those guys who went up against that, were Heroes.
The Germans took air defense very seriously.........B-17 crew was NOT a enviable job.
German fighters did not mess around with .30 or .50cal machine guns, they used 20 and 30mm cannon that were devastating to other aircraft. A few good hits brought a bomber down, a few hits shredded a P-51.........Yeah, those guys who went up against that, were Heroes.
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Hundreds, apparently. There are multiple posts here about ammo, and the last one on this page about ammo says they were assigned 250 rounds per gun up front.
B-17 & B-24 reserve of ammunition
B-17 & B-24 reserve of ammunition
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Post Fiend
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Southern MD
I LOVE the B-17 Flying Fortress!!!!!!!
Even though the B-24 flew higher, farther, faster and carried a bigger bomb load, there's just 'something' about that gorgeous Flying Fortress!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Even though the B-24 flew higher, farther, faster and carried a bigger bomb load, there's just 'something' about that gorgeous Flying Fortress!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: McKenzie River
The courage those Airmen in the B-17s exhibit is beyond words.......Flying over the enemy's homeland, flying in dangerous proximity to LARGE aircraft in huge formations, flying through flak that rips aircraft apart, defensive fire from other bombers that often hits yours, facing heavy, rapid firing, cannon fire from fighters that are flying 300mph faster than you. all the while you can take NO evasive action.
On a side note: Can you imagine the stones those German airmen must have had to fly HEAD ON through that bomber formation, with HUNDREDS of .50cal Browning machine guns firing at them, and then to tangle with the escort fighters?
Bomber speed: 190-200mph
Fighter speed: 390-425mph
Thats a 600+mph closure rate......thats insane.
People were made of sterner stuff back then.
On a side note: Can you imagine the stones those German airmen must have had to fly HEAD ON through that bomber formation, with HUNDREDS of .50cal Browning machine guns firing at them, and then to tangle with the escort fighters?
Bomber speed: 190-200mph
Fighter speed: 390-425mph
Thats a 600+mph closure rate......thats insane.
People were made of sterner stuff back then.
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Post Fiend
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After leaving their bases in England it took them one hour to reach operational altitude. Then they had to fly in a tight formation devised by Gen. Curtis Lemay. This formation ensured that every aircraft was protetected by every other one. If one dropped out of formation the others had to reform to fill the hole in the protective pattern. The skill of those pilots was unbelievable.
When captured at the end of the war, the head of the Luftwaffe was asked when he knew the war was lost, he replied "when I saw the first P51 over Berlin".
When captured at the end of the war, the head of the Luftwaffe was asked when he knew the war was lost, he replied "when I saw the first P51 over Berlin".
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Southern MD
The courage those Airmen in the B-17s exhibit is beyond words.......Flying over the enemy's homeland, flying in dangerous proximity to LARGE aircraft in huge formations, flying through flak that rips aircraft apart, defensive fire from other bombers that often hits yours, facing heavy, rapid firing, cannon fire from fighters that are flying 300mph faster than you. all the while you can take NO evasive action.
On a side note: Can you imagine the stones those German airmen must have had to fly HEAD ON through that bomber formation, with HUNDREDS of .50cal Browning machine guns firing at them, and then to tangle with the escort fighters?
Bomber speed: 190-200mph
Fighter speed: 390-425mph
Thats a 600+mph closure rate......thats insane.
People were made of sterner stuff back then.
On a side note: Can you imagine the stones those German airmen must have had to fly HEAD ON through that bomber formation, with HUNDREDS of .50cal Browning machine guns firing at them, and then to tangle with the escort fighters?
Bomber speed: 190-200mph
Fighter speed: 390-425mph
Thats a 600+mph closure rate......thats insane.
People were made of sterner stuff back then.
When T. Brokaw used the term, "The Greatest Generation", he hit the nail right on the head!
Everything that our Dads and Grand-Dads went through in that war is nothing short of heroic.
I've always admired the men (and women) of that time, that were so resolute. . . so strong. . . so prepared to give 'all', in the name of Freedom!
I sit here, in the comfort of my home, with 'goosebumps'.
(And my admiration is the same for the men and women that have fought all of our battles, to keep this great nation Free!)
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