"By now, because of the loss of so many ships (B-17s) that were behind us, we found ourselves to be in the unenviable position of "tail end Charlie"! The battle was now approaching two hours, which for an air battle was rare. Our tail gunner had run out of ammunition and came up to where I was (top turret) to get some of what I had left."
Sam Hewitt 15th Air Force
"There we were, two groups, one a B-17 group and one a B-24. When the fighters showed up the B-24 leader slid our formation in under the B-17 group, for more protection as well as for more defense against the fighters. So where did they attack? Yes right in my corner, low left and last. You can see why they called it Purple Heart Corner. My tail gunner, George Federlin shot up all of his ammo and the waist gunner took more ammo to him."
George R. Insley - ETO 1943 to 1945 - 44th Bomb Group, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, based in Shipdon, England. 48 combat missions