Subject: THE DAY THE 344TH STOPPED PATTON
From: (ArtKramr)
Date: 9/7/03 2:41 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Nope. Safe Salvo was not an option. We didn't have a "safe" switch at all.
We
salvoed over the PO Valley through the clouds and hit Panzers engaged in
battle. We all got battle stars for the Po Valley for that one. It was
the
only
"easy" battle start I ever won. I think our air generals worried about
too
many
safe releases over enemy targets so they just removed that option.


Arthur Kramer

Ok...makes sense, thanks...
--

-Gord.


Sounds like a serious problem on takeoff could result in some pretty
nasty damage close to home - must have happened a few times?

Dave



Go to my website and read "Death on the Runway"


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



In fact they were so concerned about "safe" releases that after every mission
we had to turn in an arming wire for each bomb we took off with. 8 500
pounders? We had better come home with 8 arming wires....OR ELSE ! Strike
photos were examined for holes which often meant unexploded bombs


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