Subject: Little friend takes big brother home.
From: "Brian Colwell"
Date: 10/29/03 6:54 PM Pacific Standard Time
Message-id: L3%nb.219240$pl3.93544@pd7tw3no


"ArtKramr" wrote in message
...
The recent thread on "most beautiful things" has brought back many
memories. We
were flying a maximum effort (56 Marauders) heading East into Germany We
were
in the number two slot in the high flight flying deputy lead. Way in the
distance I saw a tiny spot coming toward us As it came closer I saw it was
a
single B-17. When it came even closer I saw that it had one engine shut
down
and the prop feathered. Another engine smoking but operational. And
above and
to one side of the B-17 was a lone P-51 flying top cover taking the
wounded
B-17 home. I got a bit choked up and wanted to applaud but knew no one
would
hear me. As the B-17 passed us I examined it as best I could. I saw no
gunners
in the waist window or anywhere else. Had they bailed out? Were they dead
or
wounded? Had the pilot bailed the whole crew out and was taking the B-17
home
alone? When we got back to base I went to the A-2 guys and asked about
that
B-17. But as usual A-2 officers only ask questions they never answer them.
I've
thought of that B-17 and that P-51 every now and again over rhe past 60
years
and wonder if they ever made it home. I guess I'll never know, but that
first
sight if the lone B-17 and that lone P-51 covering is a sight I never
will
forget. I still get choked up thinking about it.


Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

Thanks Art, For sharing that experience with us, I can appreciate the impact
it must have on you.

Regards, BMC




Right to this day Brian I still wonder what happened to those guys in that
limping B-17. I will never really know but I always like to think they made it.
and over the years I imagined that I was in a bar and met a guy about my age.
We got to talking about the war and it turned out he was one of the guys in
that B-17. Imagination and fond wishes go together. (sigh)

Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer