Little friend takes big brother home.

The recent thread on "most beautiful things" has brought back many memories. We
were flying a maximum effort (56 Marauders) heading East into Germany We were
in the number two slot in the high flight flying deputy lead. Way in the
distance I saw a tiny spot coming toward us As it came closer I saw it was a
single B-17. When it came even closer I saw that it had one engine shut down
and the prop feathered. Another engine smoking but operational. And above and
to one side of the B-17 was a lone P-51 flying top cover taking the wounded
B-17 home. I got a bit choked up and wanted to applaud but knew no one would
hear me. As the B-17 passed us I examined it as best I could. I saw no gunners
in the waist window or anywhere else. Had they bailed out? Were they dead or
wounded? Had the pilot bailed the whole crew out and was taking the B-17 home
alone? When we got back to base I went to the A-2 guys and asked about that
B-17. But as usual A-2 officers only ask questions they never answer them. I've
thought of that B-17 and that P-51 every now and again over rhe past 60 years
and wonder if they ever made it home. I guess I'll never know, but that first
sight if the lone B-17 and that lone P-51 covering is a sight I never will
forget. I still get choked up thinking about it.

Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

Great story. Thanks for posting it. I envy you your combat experience..Keep the
war stories coming.

Thanks Art, For sharing that experience with us, I can appreciate the impact
it must have on you.

Regards, BMC

Right to this day Brian I still wonder what happened to those guys in that
limping B-17. I will never really know but I always like to think they made it.
and over the years I imagined that I was in a bar and met a guy about my age.
We got to talking about the war and it turned out he was one of the guys in
that B-17. Imagination and fond wishes go together. (sigh)

Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

Thanks. I'll keep 'em coming.

Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

Thanks Art. A while back I got to talk to one of the Tuskgee Airmen that
was speaking to our church group. He flew P-51's in that top-cover role.
Afterwards he had to sit down for several minutes to regain his composure.
So you're not the only one choked up by those experiences.

I guess that it happened many times, but I saw it only once. It is a sight that
never can be forgotten.

Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

Your vivid memory is our gain. Thanks again.

A very touching story. Thanks, Art.

jok

Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

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2 19th August 02:24 autocollimator External User Posts: 1	Little friend takes big brother home. Great story. Thanks for posting it. I envy you your combat experience..Keep the war stories coming.

3 19th August 02:24 brian colwell External User Posts: 1	Little friend takes big brother home. Thanks Art, For sharing that experience with us, I can appreciate the impact it must have on you. Regards, BMC

5 19th August 02:24 artkramr External User Posts: 1	Little friend takes big brother home. Thanks. I'll keep 'em coming. Arthur Kramer 344th BG 494th BS England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany Visit my WW II B-26 website at: http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

6 19th August 15:14 george r. gonzalez External User Posts: 1	Little friend takes big brother home. Thanks Art. A while back I got to talk to one of the Tuskgee Airmen that was speaking to our church group. He flew P-51's in that top-cover role. Afterwards he had to sit down for several minutes to regain his composure. So you're not the only one choked up by those experiences.

7 19th August 15:15 artkramr External User Posts: 1	Little friend takes big brother home. I guess that it happened many times, but I saw it only once. It is a sight that never can be forgotten. Arthur Kramer 344th BG 494th BS England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany Visit my WW II B-26 website at: http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer

8 19th August 15:15 autocollimator External User Posts: 1	Little friend takes big brother home. Your vivid memory is our gain. Thanks again.

9 21st August 18:08 jukka o. kauppinen External User Posts: 1	Little friend takes big brother home. A very touching story. Thanks, Art. jok

10 21st August 18:08 artkramr External User Posts: 1	Little friend takes big brother home. Arthur Kramer 344th BG 494th BS England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany Visit my WW II B-26 website at: http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer