The aircraft was operated by six airmen in total including three gunners. Sadly that crew, skippered by Canadian Flying Officer Stephanoff did not return from an operation over Germany. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, NFL player's daughter, aged two, drowns in pool, Banana artwork in Seoul museum eaten by visitor, Trevelyan relative 'would consider' famine payment, Indian 'killer' elephant relocated to tiger reserve, Ding becomes China's first male world chess champion, Four dead after suspected pigeon racer dispute, US principal visits David sculpture after nudity row. 50-inch machine guns mounted in pairs in remotely-controlled turrets. -Poison Gas. Except for rare days-Black Thursday, the Ploesti low level attack. The end of this particular story reveals plenty about how stress was combated in the 1940s. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. world war and everyone agreed with him. Closed from 25th December 2023 to 2nd January 2024 In this article, youll get ten (10) of the best statistics about tail gunners and their WWII activity. The skipper suggested a relaxing game of snooker, and on this occasion I believe I managed to beat him. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The exact number is unknown, but it is estimated that around 18,000 B-17 tail gunners served during the war, and roughly 5,000 were killed or injured. The tail gunner was a crucial member of the crew in World War II aircraft, and their role was pivotal in ensuring the safety of the aircraft and the success of their missions. How did rear gunners not shoot the tail off? "I try to show them that they have got friends, that they're not alone. In fact, it was incredibly dangerous work: tail gunner on a heavy bomber is commonly said to have been the single deadliest job on the Allied side during the war. As we rocked to a halt, the engines closed down creating an eerie silence. When he got stuck on a word, I'd say 'Oh yes sir, I know exactly what you mean' to save him embarrassment and he looked quite grateful for that.". During World War II - 20,000 air gunners were killed while serving with Bomber Command." Which aircraft had the most kills in ww2? By far the best bomber of the war. We couldn't work out why he'd told us to do this, but he later said he wanted to keep our confidence up and it worked.". we assembled in the locker room, and the ritual of dressing up begins. An air of tension mixed in the smoke laden dim atmosphere when at precisely 1645 Hrs the Station Commander and the Squadron Commander entered, we sprang to attention and remained in that stiff posture until they reached their positions of the stage when he said, Gentlemen be seated. What was the life expectancy of a WW2 pilot? Oft quoted "tail gunners in WWII had a life expectancy of 4 flights." "or 2 weeks." Fred Wilson, May 18, 2013 #2 Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran In January 1945 I had a letter from home telling me that my brother had enlisted in the RAF. But John Hall, 89, of Sunderland, is doing exactly the opposite - drawing on his time as a "tail-end Charlie" in missions over wartime Europe to mentor former members of the UK's armed forces who have recently left the military and are struggling to cope with civilian life. Uniquely for a World War II attack aircraft, and similarly to the forward fuselage design of the World War I-era Imperial German Junkers J.I armored, all-metal biplane, the Il-2s armor was designed as a load-bearing part of the Ilyushins monocoque structure, thus saving considerable weight. We have completed half our task and are on the way home. But John Hall, 89, of Sunderland, is doing exactly the . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How many US bomber crew were killed in ww2? He said although he was a nose gunner, he was also a second engineer, a position made for backups, and later, he was put in the tail gunner's position of the Liberator. 2230 Hrs:Suddenly, I feel a burning sensation on my right foot and ankle, I quickly switch off the power supply to my electric suit, the pain subsides and I estimate I will be without the warmth of my flying suit for the next five hours. Later in his book, Rantamaa credited Hyh with a total of 542 kills. There was a feeler arm (that looked as if it might have been borrowed from a Dalek) below each gun and when these came in contact with the fairing they inhibited depression of the gun barrels to prevent the gunner shooting at the airframe; there were also interrupter cut outs to stop him shooting at the fins as the , Through the entire operation, the Rear Gunner knew that the Luftwaffe fighter pilots preferred to attack from the rear and under the belly of the bomber, so he was often 1st in line for elimination. but all comparison stats can only be made for the period Aug 1942 to May 1945. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. [], A few years after my wife and I were married I decided to research our family histories and to our surprise we found that both of our grandfathers had died on the same day, 17th June 1940 in northwest France. It flashes through my mind that when fired on German pilots are discouraged and usually leave wide awake crews to search for less vigilant ones. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. There is no definite answer to this question, as no one drives the same. At last when the room fell silent he started to speak, Tonight gentlemen you are privileged to strike deep into the heart of Germany; your target has never been attacked in strength before and although you will be part of a comparatively small force, I am confident you will destroy your objective in tonights attack. I later learned that the life expectancy of a ball turret gunner was just a mere 37 seconds. Frank, a physical training instructor had been one of the famous five in Bolton Wanderers forward line that had promised to do great things in the English First Division 1939/40 season, alas they were together for just a few games when the war intervened. Turning starboard off the runway I busied myself with selecting guns to safe, peeling off my gloves and turning off the oxygen supply as we taxied to dispersal. YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video. independent bombing campaigns of enemy rear areas, including ports Disembarking at Squadron H.Q. Nearing the target, each crew member would don a 30-pound flak suit and a steel helmet designed to protect against antiaircraft fire. I accepted with grateful thanks and we made our way to Intelligence Section. 8,325 aircraft were lost after 364,000 sorties in WWII, 6. Erich HartmannWhile serving in Germanys Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills. Total aircrew casualties recorded by the RAF throughout the war currently stand at 39,804. How many photos did RAF Bomber Command have? What was the factual life expectancy of a World War 2 tail. "I get the impression now that they come out the armed forces with this trauma, they're given a bit of a talk and that's it. Are there any Battle of Britain pilots left? It did not involve a B-17 or a B-24 facing off against a Luftwaffe attack, or a B-29 defending itself in the Korean WarTurner was a tail gunner on an aircraft still flying but not usually associated with machine gun defense: the B-52. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In 1941, at the age of 20, Ernest Kuhl, now 89, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces and trained in Panama City, Fla., to shoot a machine gun from a plane. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? But B-52s featured defensive armament in the tail: A through G models had quad . For the last three months of service they should train you as a plumber or electrician, something they can use in civilian life.". The life expectancy of a WW2 Rear-gunner varied but was never high, mostly about just 5 Sorties. Did b52 have a tail gunner? themselves at all times. Many veterans will have suffered from PTSD, and when asked if he experienced this himself, Mr Hall says how his wartime missions left him "a bit flak happy" - he raises his hands and shakes them. WWII Vickers Wellington medium bombers supports three gunners. Geordie Corporal volunteered to clean my guns whilst I went to debriefing. The gunner in these turrets had to be in a reclined, almost fetal position. He informed me that transport was laid on to take the crew to our aircraft ITEM at 1400 hrs for pre-flight checks, and to install the guns in front, mid-upper and rear turrets. five sorties Estimates for the life expectancy for a WWII Lancaster rear gunner vary but are never high, mostly about just five sorties. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The tail gunners job was to operate the rear-mounted machine gun, which provided defensive fire against enemy aircraft. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Our story told we departed to the locker room to change back into normal uniform and went to the mess for breakfast. By mid-1942, a German dive bombers' life expectancy in combat had fallen to less than five days. There were 5 gunners in the back of the plane, all enlisted men who were non-commissioned officers (NCOs) during their mission. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. However, the actual number varies depending on the source, and some suggest that the death rate may have been lower. During takeoff, they all sat in the radio room behind the bomb baythe strongest part of the aircraft where the wings intersect with the fuselage. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. On a warm day, it would be 28 below. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The premise of the game is that the player is the tailgunner of a large space ship. Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays. The average age of the crew of a B-17 was less than 25, with four officers and six enlisted Airmen manning the aircraft. Sadly I cannot bring her name to mind but I will never forget that small figure at the end of the runway waving to all the crews at take-off time and even the worst weather never deterred that small dark-haired girl. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Unlike the British, who ordinarily flew at night, American bombers were told to carry out their runs in broad daylight, over heavily defended targets. No, Navigators as such havent existed officially for several years now, and only the generic RAF rear crew brevet has been issued. Sir Arnold Talbot Wilson was a fifty-six-year-old lieutenant colonel who joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1939. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. Early heavy bombers only had hand-operated flexible guns in the nose, leaving them vulnerable to frontal attack from enemy fighters. 5 gunners He added: "John's wisdom and experience bring a great deal to the sessions and whilst he views the younger soldiers of today as heroes, they in turn idolise him and are astounded by the fact he was involved in so many bombing raids and was shot down on two occasions. Both men were part of the allied forces trying to escape France as it was [], International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Avenue, Lincoln, LN4 2HQ, Tue - Sun 9.30am - 5.00pm He could be sat at home isolated and thinking his role and contribution to society was over. Also, thousands of aircraft gunners were wounded during missions and over 3,000 taken prisoner. It had a crew of seven from the pilot to the gunners. The life expectancy of a Lancaster rear gunner in WWII was only a few flights This meant he had employment and therefore structure to return to once he was out of the regimented life of the. Most aircraft lasted about 5 op's maybe as little as 4 He always insisted on the highest standards and continued the drills until we performed them to his satisfaction. What Time Is The Tree Lighting Lancaster Pa? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. involving airplanes would probably be the German zeppelin raids of A register was kept of every gunners visit to the armoury by a tiny Geordie W.A.A.F. "I talk to them and try and find out their story first, find out what's troubling them," he said. 1940 Hrs:The wheel chocks are pulled away, brakes released and we start to roll. Not affiliated with any government agencies.All Rights Reserved. Their chance of survival was less than 50 percent. Some other crewmembers also operated defensive guns as a secondary duty. The navigator was responsible for keeping the aircraft on course at all times, reaching the target and then the home base. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? On 103 Squadron each crew had their own set of eight .303 Brownings and each gunner was required to carry out mandatory checks to maintain the guns in sound working condition. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Remarkably, Mr Hall does not know what he was given his medal for, only that it was "For Valour", because he never saw his citation. Web Development by Laser Red in Lincolnshire. It was a manned turret, as distinct from remote-controlled turrets also in use. The ritual of gathering at the Red Shield was threefold: a cuppa, a natter and to keep an eye on the two Post Office telephone kiosks outside the station guardroom. It was also the services last aircraft to even feature a tail gun, whatever its utility might have been at that point. Cameron Campbell in 1945 at Skipton-on-Swale; 64 years later, his son Lloyd sits in the same seat at Lancaster Air Museum, Nanton, Alberta. The B-24 had three-upper, ball and tail. Three gunners (top, front, and rear) also featured in a fully-operation crew in the AWW. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". A stream of tracer passes all around the enemy aircraft and a very startled fighter pilot immediately dives to port. Later models had four turrets-one was added to the nose. What percentage of RAF pilots died in WW2? Kuhl was a ball turret gunner. Out of this total, only 366 (28.7%) survived. How Much Savings Can A Pensioner Have In The Bank Uk? A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A REAR GUNNER - FRIDAY 23 FEB 1945. It is an important day for me and although nothing had ever been said I think it was an important day for the crew as a whole. Statistics vary based on the heat of conflict and timeline when these aircraft were deployed. Its postwar NATO reporting name was Bark. But eventually the canteen emptied leaving the dedicated staff of Salvation Army personnel who provided a welcome meeting place for aircrew and ground crews alike. He could be sat at home isolated and thinking his role and contribution to society was over. On average, a B-17 could survive 11 missions with its crew before becoming unfit for use. His remarkable figure of 60 missions included being shot down twice into the Channel, the first time seeing him and his crew spending about four days in a dinghy. How Much Is Elizabeth TaylorS Estate Worth Today. Copyright 2023 MilitaryPerson.com The Il-2 aircraft played a crucial role on the Eastern Front. The Skipper concurs and I let loose with two short sharp burst of about three seconds each. Can You Still Join the Military With a DUI Conviction? The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Remarkably, Mr Hall does not know what he was given his medal for, only that it was "For Valour", because he never saw his citation. I try to give them confidence to carry on, rather than sit back and let it all happen.". Estimates for the life expectancy for a WWII Lancaster rear gunner vary but are never high, mostly about just five sorties. ", BBC - School Radio - World War 2 Audio Clips - Lancaster bomber takes off, Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan. As we settle down on the heading for Grantham, I unlock the turret and begin the 180 degree square search pattern which is to be my task for the next eight hours. The Lancaster rolls over plunging down to Earth and to her doom. When U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Rob Wellbaum leaves the service hell end an entire era of aerial combat as Americas last bomber tail gunner. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I vividly recall that crews reacted in two distinct ways, some jumped up immediately leaving unfinished drinks, hurrying away to their respective sections whilst the remainder continued to linger over their drinks as if reluctant to leave the illusionary protection of the Red Shield. Some estimates put the life expectancy of a tail gunner within two weeks or less. 4 Did any RAF pilots survive the whole of ww2? By tenfive2, August 23, 2001 in Combat Mission Archive #3 (2001) Share. During World War II, almost 23 out of every 50 tail gunners perished (about a 40% fatality rate). Is climate change killing Australian wine? The U.S. Air Force employed the giant, four-engined Consolidated Aircraft B-24 bomber in every combat theater during World War II, from Europe to the Pacific Ocean to North Africa. Wing Commander Gibson later became famous for leading the legendary Dam Busters raid in 1943. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. As always, he ended with a reminder to all rear gunners to set the correct wing span on the Giro Gun Sight, to be aggressive, and with final Good Luck! the briefing was completed. Are there navigators in the Royal Air Force? To the soldiers on the ground, it was the Hunchback, the Flying Tank or the Flying Infantryman. "John is an inspirational character and his input is a crucial element of our work. Next came my electric suit pressing in the sock connectors. From that point in time all telephone calls in and out of the station were restricted to operations only and I think that remained so until two hours after the last aircraft was airborne. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. More than 3,800 8th Air force crewmen manning B-17 Flying Fortresses were shot down over the English Channel and surrounding areas. to live ! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We made our way to the armoury to check the guns, give them a pull through with 4 x 2 to ensure dry barrels then much to the embarrassment of our little Geordie W.A.A.F. A squadron at the start of WW2 generally had an establishment of twelve aircraft. bomber. The life expectancy of a B17 ball turret gunner was less than that of the other aircrew for several reasons. Seconds later our Bomb Aimer calls over the intercom, bombs away, we have been successful in delivering our load. And those who have served less than four years are interviewed and signposted to the various welfare entitlements and other support offered by the government, ex-services charities and the voluntary sector. Only 24% survived the war unscathed. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Immediately the last report had been received the skipper initiated one of the many practice emergency drills. 1 Avro Lancaster UK It could not absorb the punishment of the American B-17 and had to bomb by night-spreading its bombs over large cities. small bombs and carry a rear machine gunner. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Standing: Wireless Operator W/O H.P. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The tail gunner manned the most useful position of allthe B-25 was one of the first bombers to have a tail gun. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Tail gunners were a vital part of successful air crews in WWII conflicts. Home A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A REAR GUNNER. The tail gunner operated a .50 caliber Browning machine gun. I keep a beady eye on him then seconds later his starboard wing drops. As the only rear-facing crewmember, he was also responsible for passing along information about things behind the aircraft, such as enemy fighters or the condition of the flying formation, to the rest of the crew. Life on any submarine during World War II was cramped, hot, smelly and dark . "I get the impression now that they come out the armed forces with this trauma, they're given a bit of a talk and that's it. Other unverified estimates put this figure at a much higher range of 30,000 or more tail gunner casualties. The Vickers Wellington is a twin-engine, medium-range bomber used mostly for night bombing operations. All of these functions were merely all this before taking into consideration the Mae West life-jacket and parachute. Being a tail gunner was, according to my British war history professor at University, "a dangerous and un-enviable position." My next visit was to the PT section to see Flight Sergeant Frank Marsh the captain of our football team. nuisance) to enemy soldiers and supply units; they also initiated Read about our approach to external linking. The English reported 835 killed and 1,990 wounded. Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. Then, take the Perisphere from the World's Fair, cut it into 4 pieces, push the end of the . They were often injured or killed while on missions, and aircrew depended on them for protection and support. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. However, the tail gunners role was essential to the success of the B-17 mission, and their bravery and sacrifice should not be forgotten. 1000 hrs:With the crew minus the skipper (A Flight Commander) and Bill Treen, the other gunner who was away on a course, we strolled down to the `Red Shield canteen for the morning break. Rear Gunners in Lancasters were given about 4o hrs flight time As we commence our bombing run, the 190 maintains his position and range and I begin to wonder if in fact he has spotted us. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. What did RAF navigators do in World War 2? What did RAF Bomber Command do to Germany? A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A REAR GUNNER FRIDAY 23 FEB 1945. More than 1,220 crewmen aboard B-24 Liberators were shot down over the English Channel and North Sea. and industrial centers. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. What was the life expectancy of a WW2 pilot? The hydraulic system is now functioning, I unlock the turret turning the guns first to starboard then to port, then up and down all is well and I return to the fore and aft position and relock the turret ready for take-off. However, some tail gunners survived years of combat, racking up dozens of successful missions in the process. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 24%During the whole war, 51% of aircrew were killed on operations, 12% were killed or wounded in non-operational accidents and 13% became prisoners of war or evaders. Small windows allowed them to see under the plane, but not above. Tony Wright, of About Turn, said Mr Hall sets the standard at the group sessions he attends by always being punctual and well dressed, and is "idolised" by those he meets there. 'When we first arrived on 101 Sqn the Intelligence officer told us: against Germany 1939 to 1945." They were picked up off the Isles of Scilly, apparently only minutes away from heading out into the Atlantic Ocean where they would probably have been lost forever. 3 How did rear gunners not shoot the tail off? The Rear-Turret Gunners were in the most vulnerable position on the Plane. He starts to close the range without committing himself. Thousands of aircrew casualties were also recorded among Australian, Polish, French, and other forces. This meant he had employment and therefore structure to return to once he was out of the regimented life of the military. It was strong enough to carry more than 1000 pounds (454 kilograms) of bombs and also had a firing tunnel--a hole through the bottom of the airplane that allowed the rear gunner to shoot the enemy below. Casualties among air gunners among Allied powers were higher in Britains Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force. However, the actual number varies depending on the source, and some suggest that the death rate may have been lower. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Carried a comparable bomb load to the B-29 years earlier. In 2008 the National Association of Probation Officers suggested that up to 8,500 veterans are currently in prison and another 3,000 are on parole - although the Ministry of Defence disputes this, saying its latest figures show there are 2,820 veterans in prison. He flew 1,404 combat missions and participated in aerial combat on 825 separate occasions. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. They just wont be called Navigators. Before joining Britains volunteer reserve force, he was in the Indian Army. The B-17 Flying Fortress was a massive plane with a crew of ten. Can You Join the Military With Scoliosis? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? As part of the 4132nd Army Air Force Base Unit of Garden City, Ware departed for Italy in April 1944, and he spent about six months in that country. The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. He also volunteered with the Air Training Corps, training future pilots, until his retirement in 1982. Sometimes it got 60 below, recalls one veteran. We were due to play a game in Scunthorpe the following day. To Il-2 pilots, the aircraft was simply the diminutive Ilyusha. Benn was a British pilot officer in 1940 and served as an air gunner on multiple missions before retiring at 67. Those who served six years or more, and all those medically discharged regardless of how long they have served, are entitled to the full resettlement programme, to help re-adjust to civilian life; those who served between four and six years qualify for the employment support programme, a tailored job-finding service. "You also had nightmares, but after 12 months you got yourself hardened to it. The bomb damage diagrams are aerial photographs of Berlin, Cologne and Dresden, overlaid with coloured areas indicating how much damage was caused by the strategic bombing campaign. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Some Differences between Bomber Command and 8 & 9 USAAF Operations, http://www.taphilo.com/history/8thaf/8aflosses.shtml, http://www.amazon.co.uk/USAAF-Airman-Service-Survival-1941-45/dp/1861269692, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. for ground troops; they served as an irritant (later, as a serious How is ATP made and used in photosynthesis? B-52 StratofortressAmericas legendary B-52 Stratofortress first took to the skies more than 70 years ago and will likely remain in service beyond its century mark. 0820 Hrs:Out again into the Lincolnshire weather arriving at the Squadron Gunnery Section to be briefed on the projected activities for the day by the Gunnery leader Flight Lieutenant Johnny Wymark, DSO, DFC and to assist him with the administration duties of the section; this included a visit to the Squadron armoury. 1400 Hrs:We loaded our eight Brownings onto a 15 cwt. Back in May, it was announced on the morning of the 75th anniversary of VE Day that John Hemingway was now the last surviving of the nearly 3,000 airmen who flew in the Battle of Britain, following the death of 101-year-old air gunner Terry Clark. 57,205Bomber Command aircrews suffered a high casualty rate: of a total of 125,000 aircrew, 57,205 were killed (a 46 percent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war. "I try to show them that they have got friends, that they're not alone. I slither down the slope to the rear turret, settle into my seat, plug in the intercom connection, connect the oxygen supply, turn around to pick up my gloves and then lock the sliding doors. During World War II 20,000 air gunners were killed while serving with Bomber Command., Today, Irishman John, known as Paddy, is, in the saddest sense, alone again the only airman who fought in the Battle of Britain still alive.

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