Recently read a discussion on the never-ending "buffs too tuff" topic.
Just got this tidbit in my monthly CAF Wing newsletter. The editor always prints a WW2 historical note on the last page.
Yes, it's anecdotal. Makes a great read though. Enjoy.
"Sgt. Maynard Smith was trained as an aerial gunner, and drew an assignment as a waist gunner on a B-17. On May 1, 1943, Sgt. Smith flew his first combat mission over Europe. It turned out to be a mission he would never forget. After releasing its bombs over the target, the B-17 pointed its nose toward home. On the way home all hell broke loose. The Bomber flew into an area of intense, accurate flak and several aggressive enemy fighters.
The Fortress was the recipient of a horrendous beating of fire from enemy antiaircraft guns and fighters. Cannon shells ripped through the thin skin of the Fortress. The oxygen system was shot out and several valuable flight control cables were severed. Fires ignited in both the radio compartment and the waist gunners' section. Two crewman were seriously wounded, and three others bailed out over the water.
In the meantime, the B-17 was still under ferocious attack by enemy fighters. Sgt. Smith would fire his guns at the fighters, then rush to the buring areas of the aircraft to try to extinguish the flames. In between time, he would rush to the tail to administer medical aid to the wounded tail gunner.
All of his efforts seemed to be a losing deal. The excaping oxyen from the damaged system fanned the fire on board. The heat became so intense that the radio, gun mounts and cameras melted. Ammunition on the bomber began to explode. Smith fought the fires until every fire extinguisher on the bomber was empty. For what seemed like an enternity, Smith continued to perform these multiple tasks. He continued to fire all of the workable guns on board until the enemy aircraft, running low on fuel and certain that the B-17 would not survive, streaked toward their home base. With the enemy fighters gone, Smith had more time to attend the tail gunner. He wrapped himself in a protective cloth and batted out the fires with his hands.
The bomber, three bodies short, made it back safely and landed.
Sgt. Maynard H. Smith was presented the Medal of Honor."
"
SMITH, MAYNARD H. (Air Mission) (MI)Rank and organization. Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 423d Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bomber Group.
Place and date: Over Europe, 1 May 1943.
Entered service at: Cairo, Mich. Born: 1911, Cairo Mich.
G.O. No.: 38,12 July 1943.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. The aircraft of which Sgt. Smith was a gunner was subjected to intense enemy antiaircraft fire and determined fighter airplane attacks while returning from a mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe on 1 May 1943. The airplane was hit several times by antiaircraft fire and cannon shells of the fighter airplanes, 2 of the crew were seriously wounded, the aircraft's oxygen system shot out, and several vital control cables severed when intense fires were ignited simultaneously in the radio compartment and waist sections. The situation became so acute that 3 of the crew bailed out into the comparative safety of the sea. Sgt. Smith, then on his first combat mission, elected to fight the fire by himself, administered first aid to the wounded tail gunner, manned the waist guns, and fought the intense flames alternately. The escaping oxygen fanned the fire to such intense heat that the ammunition in the radio compartment began to explode, the radio, gun mount, and camera were melted, and the compartment completely gutted. Sgt. Smith threw the exploding ammunition overboard, fought the fire until all the firefighting aids were exhausted, manned the workable guns until the enemy fighters were driven away, further administered first aid to his wounded comrade, and then by wrapping himself in protecting cloth, completely extinguished the fire by hand. This soldier's gallantry in action, undaunted bravery, and loyalty to his aircraft and fellow crewmembers, without regard for his own personal safety, is an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces."
Picture: http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent/1,12044,ML_snuffy_bkp,00.html They were "Men of Men". I salute them.
[This message has been edited by Toad (edited 05-24-2001).]
