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In his book Combat Crew, John Comer tells about their new arrival at the Ridgewell Airdrome in Aug 1943. Ridgewell Airdrome was located near Essex and was home of the 381st Bomber Group.
“The major welcomed them saying they were urgently needed.
When asked on the losses they had, the major answered: See that chart ? That's the combat roster. We've been here sixty days and so far we've lost one hundred and one percent of our combat personnel."
That was the welcome.
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“B-17 Silver Bullet”
B-17G 42-37781 “Silver Bullet” was lost after bombs away when bombs from a higher flying group hit this aircraft, knocking the tail section completely off . The aircraft dived straight down into a spin with all four engines going, crashing in Berlin, Germany. March 9th, 1944. No Survivors.
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“A20 Havoc”
A Douglas A-20J-10-DO (S/N 43-10129) of the 409th or 416th Bomber Group after being hit by flak over Germany. It burst into flames and crashed a mile west of the target; two chutes were seen from the plane. Its crew was 1st Lt Robert E. Stockwell, pilot, 2d Lt Albert Jedinak, bombardier-navigator, S/Sgt Hollis A. Foster and S/Sgt Egon W. Rust, gunners.
View attachment 1108303
“B-24 Little Warrior”
B-24H Liberator 42-94812 “Little Warrior” of the 493rd Bomber Group, 861st Bomber Squadron, hit by flak over Quakenbrück Germany, June 29, 1944. One crewman managed to bail out safely but was killed by civilians on the ground.
View attachment 1108305
“B-26 Marauder”
A U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26G-11-MA Marauder (s/n 43-34565) from the 497th Bomber Squadron, 344th Bomber Group, 9th Air Force. It is enveloped in flames and hurtling earthward after enemy flak scored a direct hit on the left engine while aircraft was attacking front line enemy communications center at Erkelenz, Germany.
This is WHY they are considered The "GREATEST GENERATION"!!!! Did, it for GOD and COUNTRY!!!