Re:Top Turret / Flight Engineer training
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09/11/2008 02:41:14 AM
Phillip :
I was drafted..from the middle of my second quarter at Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio. I reported to Fort Hayes Ohio,also in Columbus Ohio.
My basic training was at Fort McClellan,Alabama....and was in the Infantry. (13 weeks)
I was then selected for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) and was sent to Auburn, Alabama,for further processing, and assignment to a school. It turned out, it was at Boston University, Boston MAssachusetts, our transportation was by train along the east coast where at night all the windows of the passenger cars, had blinds pulled facing the Atlantic Ocean...oil tankers were being sunk by German submarines where they were outlined against the lights of the cities on shore.
I did not have enough Physics in high school and so was among the first group to be dropped from the program.
I was then given the choice of further electing the branch of service, and at that point, six of us asked for and received a transfer to the USAAF.
Next stop was Greenboro, North Carolina, which was a USAAF Basic Training Center for further tests and assignment.
Next stop was Amarillo Texas for a 6 months course in Aircraft and Engine Mechanic course. (B-17)
On completion of the A& E school, my next assignent was to Kingman Arizona, for Flexible Gunnery Traiining School (6 weeks). Rank of Corporal on completion. (6 weeks)
I was granted a 30 day leave, and after the leave, was to report to Lincoln Nebraska for assignment to an aircrew.
Next stop was Sioux City, Iowa, B-17 training for Combat Crew Training..6 weeks where we flew cross country and at night.
Next stop was back to Lincoln for overseas assignment. If we were issued 2 blankets, we were to go by ship to our overseas destination, and a sleeping bag if we were to deliver a new B-17 to our overseas destination.
I was issued the blankets, but was informed that our crew was no 3 on the list to take an aircraft, if any crew selected to take an aircraft was removed from the list, because a crew member, having to enter a hospital...appendicitis, etc..that crew wouild be scratched and a subsitute crew would be assigned. Two days later we turned in our blankets and exchanged them for a sleeping bag. We were then assigned a new B-17 with a total of 10 hours flying time. After checking out the B-17, (pilot and crew checking out the aircraft systems, we were then given an assignment to proceed to Grenier Field ,New Hamshire.
We then were further processed where our crew recieved a wool OD sweater donated by the Red Cross Ladies.
The pilot was given sealed orders to be opened after we left the continental U.S. with our final destination and assignment to the unit we were to fly combat with.
We proceeded to Goose Bay Lbdr, and learned enroute, were assigned to the 99th BG in the 15th AAF in Italy. Our stops were
Meeks Field Iceland; Valley,Wales;Marakech Morrocco, Tunis, Tunisia, and finally Gioia del Colle, Italy where we left the B-17 and proceeded by army 6X6 to Foggia, Italy where the 99th BG was based.
I flew as Corporal for the first 5 misssions, where the enlisted crewmembers were promoted to Sergeant...next 10 missions saw promotion to S/Sgt.
The Radio operator and myself as Flight Engineer, were promoted after the next 10 missions to Technical Sergeant, sd both of us had the 6 months training, whereas the other gunners had the six WEEKs course in gunnery..we had an armorer assigned who normally flew left waist, but also acted as a togglier.
As the flight engineer, I was designated the NCOIC of the other gunners.
(This may be more information than you asked for).
Jim :-)
James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)