Author Topic: Some Gems From A B-17 Pilot! (Read 1425 times)

Frodo · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2003, 07:33:37 PM »

Wow great site!

I had never thought about that.What did the Germans have in late 43/early 44, I wonder?

Frodo

udet · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2003, 08:00:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bluedog
Apparently it was another occasion that the USAAF used Navajo Indians as radio operators, the idea being, if the guy in that strange lookin 'Fort didnt understand navajo, keep a real close eye, and several turrets trained on him just in case.

so all Americans were supposed to understand Navajo?

Bluedog · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2003, 09:43:43 PM »

No, but any that DID, you could relax around I guess:)
I'm not sure how true the navajo radio operator bit is, but it is a fact that captured B17s were used by the Luftwaffe to ferry spies into England.
It is reasonable to expect that these same B17s may have been used in an attempt to bring down American bombers.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #18 on:** August 24, 2003, 01:44:12 AM »

"I'm not sure how true the navajo radio operator bit is"

This is true they teach about it in the USAF history classes ,

I also seam to remember something about the germans using our own planes to distract the groups during there bomb runs. along with sabaturs trying to plant explosives in the planes at some of the airfields. (alt activated stuff if i recall correctly)

USAF 82-86 Jet eng mechanic.

Grendel · « **Reply #19 on:** August 24, 2003, 12:51:21 PM »

Halo · « **Reply #20 on:** August 24, 2003, 01:26:25 PM »

Great thread. Thanks to all for the interesting info.

Frodo · « **Reply #21 on:** August 24, 2003, 07:49:46 PM »

Grendel did you get my email last week about this?

Frodo

DrDea · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2003, 09:28:33 PM »

There were reports of captured B 17's being used to drop bombs on US B 17 formations.
I was doing an annual Skyline Drive run with a friend on the bikes 2 years ago and at one of the rest stops an older gent commented on a T shirt I was wearing.It was a Bf 109.He said "That was an amazing plane".Apparently he was a gunner on a B 17 and recalled how one time at 30,000 ft they saw a 109 making a run on them.The guns were frozen on the 17 so they could only watch and duck for cover.The 109 never fired.Apparently his guns also malfunctioned.He pulled along the 17 for several miles and they looked each other over.The 109 dipped the wings and rolled out. It was an intresting story.