DakotaDave Posted November 3, 2015 Share #1 Posted November 3, 2015 Interesting appraisal of a PH/AM group with scrapebook to an USAAF officer on the lead plane on the first 8th AF mission into Germany. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/season/19/chicago-il/appraisals/wwii-purple-heart-group--201406A29 DakotaDave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted November 3, 2015 Share #2 Posted November 3, 2015 Indeed - I can dig it!! First bomb to hit Germany? Id put the $5000 on the low end Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted November 3, 2015 Share #3 Posted November 3, 2015 Note the Royal Canadian Air Force ID card too..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted November 3, 2015 Share #4 Posted November 3, 2015 While the date is correct for the first US bombing of Germany, is this truly the first plane to bomb Germany? Or was it one of the planes in the first wave of a LOT of planes? It is a very nice grouping though. ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 3, 2015 Share #5 Posted November 3, 2015 Very recognizable plane....Famous B17. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted November 3, 2015 Share #6 Posted November 3, 2015 Very recognizable plane....Famous B17. Ron, Is this documented as truly the FIRST plane to bomb Germany? I did a search and could not find the actual first plane mentioned. ...Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted November 3, 2015 Share #7 Posted November 3, 2015 Ron, Is this documented as truly the FIRST plane to bomb Germany? I did a search and could not find the actual first plane mentioned. ...Kat Maybe yes, maybe no. It was on the mission and the lead plane for the 303d BG, which, by some accounts, dropped their bombs first. However, the 306th BG also claims credit, so who knows. http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/012.pdf http://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/1646 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted November 3, 2015 Share #8 Posted November 3, 2015 Maybe yes, maybe no. It was on the mission and the lead plane for the 303d BG, which, by some accounts, dropped their bombs first. However, the 306th BG also claims credit, so who knows. Thanks for the information.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted November 3, 2015 Share #9 Posted November 3, 2015 American Citizen Pilots flying with the RCAF and RAF were dropping bombs in the ETO years before this date. However, no idea if any of the bombs they dropped were American made. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted November 3, 2015 Share #10 Posted November 3, 2015 Very cool! And he does state first "All American" crew to drop "American" bombs. But I think B229 is right on as the "Lead" ship would be the one to let the bombs go first. So maybe the first my a few seconds really. I any case it is still a way cool grouping and could make a great display! For ME not $3-5K cool though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DakotaDave Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted November 3, 2015 He should have technically been copilot on the lead aircraft that day but got bumped by a Lt Col and he flew as an observer instead. The unit was the 360th Bomb Squadron of the 303rd Bomb Group, the "Hells' Angels". As mentioned in the clip he was killed in a midair with another B-17 a few missions later while in heavy cloud cover. The 303rd website, which is extensive, has alot of good info on him and the mission. DakotaDave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hirsca Posted November 3, 2015 Share #12 Posted November 3, 2015 Anyone catch the "Expert's" definition of the short snorter? Thanks, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberry 9 Posted November 3, 2015 Share #13 Posted November 3, 2015 There was a scrapbook of items that wasn't really shown. Wonder what else was in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted November 3, 2015 Share #14 Posted November 3, 2015 The Purple Heart looks like a ( numbered ) Rex Products lacquered center type. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted November 3, 2015 Share #15 Posted November 3, 2015 Anyone catch the "Expert's" definition of the short snorter? Thanks, Al LOL - yes....I did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted November 3, 2015 Share #16 Posted November 3, 2015 Anyone catch the "Expert's" definition of the short snorter? Thanks, Al Yeah, sounded like he was describing a Challenge Coin. I always thought the "Short Snorter" was just a fun way collecting your buddies autograph before your head back home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DakotaDave Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share #17 Posted November 3, 2015 The Purple Heart looks like a ( numbered ) Rex Products lacquered center type. Wharf I'm sure your right, I was shouting at the TV screen "show the number, just show the number" but he didn't, frankly doubt he knew it was even there! The wife told me to chill out. Actually, the AM was probably also numbered given the time of death so early in the air war. DakotaDave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 3, 2015 Share #18 Posted November 3, 2015 Its a very historic and complete group, but I do not see 3-5K either. Perhaps if it had a DFC and a Silver Star too, I might. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguy1986 Posted November 4, 2015 Share #19 Posted November 4, 2015 Anyone catch the "Expert's" definition of the short snorter? Thanks, Al That's exactly the definition I've heard firsthand from a couple of 8th AAF pilots that I've talked with in recent years. I'm sure for some it was just a memento of friends' signatures, but I've heard the "buying the drinks" story directly from vets, so there's got to be some truth to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted November 4, 2015 Share #20 Posted November 4, 2015 That's exactly the definition I've heard firsthand from a couple of 8th AAF pilots that I've talked with in recent years. I'm sure for some it was just a memento of friends' signatures, but I've heard the "buying the drinks" story directly from vets, so there's got to be some truth to it. I have always heard it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettow Posted November 4, 2015 Share #21 Posted November 4, 2015 That's exactly the definition I've heard firsthand from a couple of 8th AAF pilots that I've talked with in recent years. I'm sure for some it was just a memento of friends' signatures, but I've heard the "buying the drinks" story directly from vets, so there's got to be some truth to it. That is what I was told when I began collecting them 30 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted November 4, 2015 Share #22 Posted November 4, 2015 I had also been told many years ago by a 15th AF pilot that if you could not produce your short snorter when asked to in the bar a round of drinks was on you. Not sure if this was the original intent for a short snorter but this is how it ended up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted November 4, 2015 Share #23 Posted November 4, 2015 Very interesting from a VERY historic event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 4, 2015 Share #24 Posted November 4, 2015 Ron, Is this documented as truly the FIRST plane to bomb Germany? I did a search and could not find the actual first plane mentioned. ...Kat Dunno.....but its a well known plane for the nose art and 303 BG HELLS ANGELS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted November 4, 2015 Share #25 Posted November 4, 2015 Dunno.....but its a well known plane for the nose art and 303 BG HELLS ANGELS Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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