Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
3:40 | It took a while for B-17 co-pilot Ralph Smith to get going once he got to Italy. His first pilot got shot down on a check flight and then they had to train up his replacement. Once they were ready, they had eight missions over Germany before the war ended.
Keywords : Ralph Smith pilot Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Italy Foggia West Point Germany
His buddy joined the Army, but Ralph Smith didn't want to do that. He wanted to fly and could already fly a Piper Cub. A hostile instructor almost washed him out in primary training, but he made it through, all the way to the big B-17.
During flight training, there is an exercise involving oxygen supply. Ralph Smith volunteered to be the one who took off his mask and passed out. This helped him later in a high altitude incident over Germany.
There was a new recreation hall at the air base in England, but Ralph Smith didn't drink, so he declined the to join the night's festivities. He was in his tent writing letters. Just after midnight, the radio came to life with some startling news.
