Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
1:33 | Pete shares a story about the 100th Bomb Group who had developed a reputation that attracted enemy fighter planes.
Keywords : formation surrender fighter
As Pete's B-17 crosses the Atlantic Ocean over to England, it builds up heavy ice on its wings and prop blades, causing the flight to become even more intense as fuel begins to run out.
Pete shares a story about the 100th Bomb Group who had developed a reputation that attracted enemy fighter planes.
During early January 1945 Pete's B-17 encounters severe problems on its first crossing of the English Channel, forcing Pete to have to return the plane to England.
During a bomb run over Germany, Pete's B-17 develops major problems in its #2 engine. The plane is forced to drop out of formation on its return to England.
During Pete's second bomb run to Berlin, Germany, he witnesses a B-17 directly in front of him explode into pieces.
Pete explains the proper protocol when faced with having to parachute or crash land in enemy territory.
Pete, while flying over Germany, witnesses his first German M-262 jet.
While in formation on a return flight to England, Pete witnesses a fellow B-17 pilot mistakenly turn off two engines.
Pete's B-17 encounters heavy flak while flying over Germany. Over sixty holes are discovered in the plane upon its return to England.
