Subject: An Officer.......
From: "Paul J. Adam"
Date: 2/25/04 1:43 PM Pacific Standard Time
Message-id:

Nobody will praise you for dogmatically obeying your orders if the
overall objective - to seize that bridge intact - is failed. If you obey
your orders to the letter you'll watch that bridge - the objectiv

Let me give you a true life example of what actually happened. I tis the first
time I actually went ballistic when an order wouldn't be followed instantly and
to the letter. We were comng out to Willie the Wolf. Usually Willie is loaded
and ready; ful; bomb load, tanks topped off, ammo belts full and strung etc.
But this time the bomb truck was late and they were still loading bombs as we
pulled up. They had the last bomb (of 8) hooked on the winch and were about to
haul it up into the bomb bays. I noticed tha it had a badly bent vane on it. I
said. " hold it sargeant. don't load that bomb. It is defective". The
Sargeant said, "SIr, I know its bent but not too baldy it;ll be ok". I said, "
get thaa bomb out of here, get bacl to the Bomb dump and bring us a replacement
in good condition NOW". The Sargeant said," its a long way back and as wehave
been working all night. My men are tired, this bomb will be ok". He was
confrontational with an attiutufe. No way were we going into the skies over the
Ruhr Valley with a bomb that would be useless. I blew. "get, get you ass back
and bring me a good bomb or I'll have your ass in the stockade". A bit of
fear rose in his eyes and he said "Yes sir on my way"

He came back later with 4 bombs to gsve me a choice. I chose one. He loaded
and that was the end of the story. We ;flew the mission. The hits were good.
Moral of the story?. Take no **** from any one ever. When you know your job,
demand that it be carried out to the letter. NOW.

Two things I hate:

1.Disobedience
2. Weak officers


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