Author Topic: Any questions for a B-17F pilot from the 379th??? (Read 360 times)

Frodo · « **on:** August 09, 2003, 06:37:23 PM »

I will be meeting with Mr.Hardy White, a B-17 Pilot with the 379th ( The famous " TRIANGLE-K " Group) on Wed.& Thurs this week 8/13 and 8/14.He flew B-17F's out of " Kimbolton.

If you have any thing you want know about flying B-17's out of England with the 8th AF in WWII,post here or mail me before this Wed. frodo@fidnet.com

He has agreed to answering any questions I have,and is a very nice gentlemen,and willing to share what he saw and experienced.He is also going to bring some items from that time for me to see,and I will get some pictures and put them up.

He made it a point to tell me to read this book,(The Wrong Stuff : The Adventures and Misadventures of an 8th Air Force Aviator
)as it was the best account of what it was really like,that he knew of.The link is below.

SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE PASS THEM ON.I WILL DO MY BEST TO GET HIS OPINION.

Frodo

379th links

http://www.379thbga.org/

http://mighty8thaf.preller.us/php/1Unit.php?Unitkey=379

http://users.erinet.com/29562/ScrewballExpress/379th.htm

http://usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/379bg.HTM

http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~josephkennedy/rev1_379th_bg_heavy.htm

The Wrong Stuff Book

http://www.hallhistory.com/index.php/Mode/product/AsinSearch/0806134224/name/The%2520Wrong%2520Stuff%2520%253A%2520The%2520Adventures%2520and%2520Misadventures%2520of%2520an%25208th%2520Air%2520Force%2520Aviator.htm

udet · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2003, 09:44:18 PM »

The Wrong Stuff is a great book, a must-read. I think I'll read it again.

Question for Mr Hardy White:
Has he ever had a FW190/ME109 with 30mm cannons coming head on at his aircraft, and if he had, did he stain his pants?

Kweassa · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2003, 12:53:44 AM »

Yeah..

How long did the gunners shoot out?

Did they hit anything?

What were usually the reasons the bombers were lost to? Fires? Crew death? Structural failure?

Frodo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2003, 08:08:37 PM »

Eagler · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2003, 09:17:21 PM »

be sure to pass on our thanks and appreciation for what he did for our country and his sacrifice

Frodo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2003, 05:31:15 PM »

Thanks,and I will pass your questions and thoughts along.

Any other questions?I will meet with him Wed. morning.

Frodo

Frodo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2003, 10:44:48 AM »

Kweassa he said the gunners max. was 600 yards,using the gunsight to determine distance.
His opinion on the reason for loss of a plane were structural failure and then fire.

Eagler-He made it a point to tell me to make sure I pass on his thanks and appreciation!

A truly amazing Man.I have some great things to share,including the diary of each mission he kept!He gave me permission to pass all of it on to anyone who was interested.

I will try to get a post up sometime tonight,and will put the diary up soon also.

Frodo

pugg666 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2003, 10:59:41 AM »

would be most interested in ready the mission journals!