Litttle Friend takes Big Brother Home

Little Friend takes Big Brother Home
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 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 the 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. Memories like these are the rare
gifts one sometimes takes home from combat..





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

"ArtKramr" wrote in message
...

When we got back to base I went to the A-2 guys and asked about that B-17.

Well, duh. I'd ask the Ops guys instead. Intel doesn't collect/report on
their own aircraft.

But
as usual A-2 officers only ask questions, they never answer them.

Intel doesn't cover blue force, thats an Ops job. You ask Intel about what
the enemy is doing, not the friendlies.

Do you know the date, Art? Major Jim Howard won the CMH escorting a
crippled B17 in a P51 - single-handedly drove off I forgot how many
German fighters and got the 17 home. If any of you are not familiar
with that mission it's worth your while to look it up.
Walt BJ

Subject: Litttle Friend takes Big Brother Home
From: (WaltBJ)
Date: 9/3/2004 8:09 PM Pacific Standard Time
Message-id:

Do you know the date, Art? Major Jim Howard won the CMH escorting a
crippled B17 in a P51 - single-handedly drove off I forgot how many
German fighters and got the 17 home. If any of you are not familiar
with that mission it's worth your while to look it up.
Walt BJ



Interesting. I'll look it up. But I saw no German fighters in the air at that
time. But I'll check Jim Howard and see what I can dig up..As I remember it we
were headed for a target on the Rhine that day. Maybe Cologne or Koblenz.
Sounds great.


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