The Mighty Eighth-- Part 3: Who's the "Kayo Katy?"

In addition to its role as a bomber, the B-17 was also employed as a transport, antisubmarine warfare platform, drone controller and search-and-rescue aircraft.

Although this composition is generic, it has the look of the 384th Bomber group at Grafton Underwood, which had a Kayo decorated in this style.  There were at least three Flying Fortresses in the Eighth Air Force named "Kayo" (playing off of the boxing term, K.O., or knock-out) and two named "Katy", hence Kayo Katy.

I did not know they had drones in World War II.  Not sure how a plane would be an antisubmarine platform either.  I'll have to research these two items.

--GreGen

The Mighty Eighth-- Part 2: B-17s, Quite the Strategic Weapon

The U.S. Eighth Air Force (based at many airfields in southern England) and the Fifteenth Air Force (based in Italy) complemented the RAF Bomber Command's nighttime bombing in the Combined Bomber Offensive to help secure air superiority over the cities, factories and battlefields of Western Europe in preparation for the invasion of France in 1944.

Touted as a strategic weapon, the B-17 was a potent, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself and to return home despite extensive battle damage.  Its reputation quickly took on mythic proportions, dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II (640,000 metric tons).

When I think of World War II bombers, the one that pops up immediately in my mind is the B-17 Flying Fortress.

--GreGen

The Mighty Eighth, 8th Air Force-- Part 1: Coming Home Meant You Were Lucky

The April 2018 Calendar of Paralyzed Veterans of America is COMING HOME / ENGLAND, 1943.

The painting shows the crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber leaving their plane, the Kayo Katy  You can sure see why these planes are called Flying Fortresses with all the machine guns.

Back in 1943, if you happened to be a crewmember on a B-17 Flying Fortress, coming home was a very special  occasion indeed.  You were, to put it plainly, one of the "lucky ones."

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was primarily employed in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign in World War II against German industrial and military targets.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Part 2: Becomes Top Ace, Shot Down, Escapes

On March 8, 1944, Captain Walker "Bud" Mahurin returned to his base at Halesworth, England, with news that he had added three more victories to his tally, now 20 enemy aircraft shot down, to become the top scoring American pilot in the European Theater of operations.  Just days later, his P-47 was heavily damaged by a German Do-217 he helped shoot down, forcing him to bail out.

He was rescued by members of the French resistance and, after weeks of evasion from capture, with the help of the French Underground, he was flown back to England.

When he again reported for duty with the 56th Fighter Group, he was told that because he now knew the escape routes and personnel of the resistance, if he was shot down again and captured, after interrogation and torture, the Germans might obtain valuable information; therefore he could no longer fly in the European Theater.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth:-- Part 1: Col. Mahurin Shot Down Enemy Planes in Both Theaters of War As Well as the Korean War

From the Paralyzed Veterans of America 2018 Calendar for March "Return to Halesworth."

Picture shows a pilot shaking hands with another airman on the ground as he is getting ready to take his fighter plane up or land it.

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Col. Walker "Bud" Mahurin (Dec. 5, 1918 -  May 11, 2010) was the only U.S. Army Air Force pilot who is credited with shooting down enemy planes in both the European and Pacific theaters and later, the Korean conflict.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Rosie's Crew-- Part 4: At the Nurenburg Trials

After returning to England, Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal attempted to return to flight operations but was turned down.  Rosie had to quit flying after 52 missions.

After  the war, Rosenthal served as as assistant U.S. prosecutor at the Nurenburg Trials where he interrogated Hermann Goring, a high-ranking Nazi official responsible for many wartime atrocities.

In total, Rosenthal received 16 American awards, including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.  he also received the the Distinguished Flying Cross from Great Britain and the Croix de Guerre from France.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth" Rosie's Crew-- Part 3: A Terrifying 52nd Mission

On February 3, 1945, after volunteering for a third tour of duty, Rosie led the entire Third Air Division of 1,000 bombers on a mission to Berlin.  Rosie's plane was hit by flak as they approached the target.  Only after completing the target run did Rosie radio the second-in-command and instruct him to take over.

With dead and wounded aboard, Rosie's crippled bomber headed east toward Russian lines before encountering an uncontrolled spiral descent.  Rosie finally bailed out and was found by Russian troops.

Rosie and a few of his men wound up in Moscow.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Rosie's Crew-- Part 2: Two Tours of Duty

On October 10, 1943, not long after joining the 100th, Rosie took part in a particularly perilous, ill-fated mission over Munster, Germany.  With two engines dead, the intercom and oxygen system non-functional, and with a large ragged hole in the right wing, Rosie's plane was the only plane from his group to make it back to base.

Rosie went on to volunteer and complete two tours of duty (50 missions).

During his second tour of duty, Rosenthal's plane was shot down over German-occupied France; he fractured his right arm, had multiple head contusions and other injuries.  He was rescued by members of the French Resistance and insisted on returning to duty as soon as his wounds were healed.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth" "Rosie's Crew"-- Part 1: Volunteered the Day After Pearl Harbor

From the Paralyzed Veterans of America February 2018 calendar.

ROSIE'S CREW / THORPE ABBOTTS, 1943.

Painting of a bomber crew getting ready to take off.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert "Rosie" Rosenthall (June 11, 1917-April 20, 2007) enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 8, 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In August 1943, he joined the 418th Squadron of the 100th Bombardment Group (BG), stationed at Thorpe Abbotts, East Anglia, England, as a pilot and aircraft commander of the B-17, Rosie's Riveters.

A Very Patriotic Fellow.  --GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Part 7: Out To Take Pictures

The navigator carries his chest chute and a briefcase with maps.  The pilot turns to his navigator to say something before they climb into the cramped cockpit of their De Havilland Mosquito Mk XVI.

With no armed escort and no defensive armament except the .45s on their belts, the mission destination is the heart of Nazi Germany.  They will fly alone, stealth and speed their only protection.  Equipped with aerial cameras and million-candlepower photoflash bombs that will detonate at 2,000 feet, they do the critical work of recording images of potential strategic targets.

I Don't Think I'd Volunteer For This Mission.  --GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Part 6: Eyes of the Eighth

These are taken from the Paralyzed Veterans of America "Hereoes of the Air" 2018 Calendar featuring the aviation artwork of Gil Cohen.

A great calendar for a great cause.  Every month has a painting and information about it/

JANUARY

EYES OF THE EIGHT

"It is 1944.  The rain had ended about an hour earlier, leaving a damp, penetrating chill in the air.  Aircraft of the 25th Bomb Group sit on the tarmac of the 8th Air Force Station 376, Watton, England.  A mechanic makes a last-minute check of the aircraft's starboard landing gear.

"A mud-spattered jeep pulls up, and two figures emerge from the vehicle.  The pilot and his navigator are dressed in full flight gear, parachute harness and flying helmet with oxygen mask."

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Part 5: The Crewmen

"The Eighth Air Force crewman was the final link in a complex chain of command that enabled The Mighty Eighth to accomplish thousands of combat missions.

"All of the planning and preparation of hundreds of personnel rested in the hands of the combat crews.  Each flyer handled his individual feelings and emotions in his own personal way as he proceeded to the target for the day."

Michael Faley, Historian of the 100th Bomb Group

"The Mighty 8th"-- Part 4: 262 Fighter Aces and Still Most Powerful Air Striking Force in the World

There were 261 fighter aces in the 8th AF in World War II.  (A fighter ace is generally considered as having shot down five or more enemy planes in aerial combat.)

To honor these brave acts and others, the Eight Air Force was awarded 17 Medals of Honor in World War II.  They were also awarded 20 Distinguished Service Crosses, 852 Silver Stars, 7,000 Purple Hearts, 46,000 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 442,000 Air Medals.

Even more awards were made after the war.  They still remain uncounted.

The 8th AF has continued in active service since its inception, with its units serving in every armed conflict the United States has engaged ever since.

It presently consists of most of the SAC units in the eastern half of  the United States, plus England, Germany, Spain and Greece, with about 50,000 persons assigned.  A recent 8th AF Commander has stated that it is still the most powerful air striking force in the world.

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Part 3: Early Missions in 1942

Soon after, on July 4, 1942, the first combat operation by members of the 8th AF Bomber Command occurred.  Six USA crews borrowed RAF A-20 Havocs from the British, painted USA markings on them and flew a low-level mission to German airfields in Holland.

Then, on July 26th, the 31st Fighter Group flew six Spitfires with the RAF on a sortie over the French coastal areas.  This was the first 8th AF fighter operation in World War II.

However, the First Official Mission of the 8th AF using their own planes, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, did not occur until August 17, 1942.  The target was Rouen, France.  Colonel Frank A. Armstrong was the air commander for the missions.

The lead pilot was Paul Tibbets (of "Enola Gay" fame -- he dropped the first atom bomb).

--GreGen

"The Mighty Eighth"-- Part 2: Headquarters Near London

Brigadier General Ira C. Eaker took the 8th AF Bomber Headquarters to England in February 1942, locating it at High Wycombe, 30 miles WNW of London.

In April, Major General Carl Spaatz, moved the Headquarters to Bushy Park, just 15 miles outside of London.  Subsequent commanders included Lt. General James H. Doolittle and Major General William A Kepner.

On June 29, 1942, a crew of the 15th Bomb Squadron flew a RAF A-20 in a British formation on a bombing mission on the railroad yards of Hazebrouck, France.  This mission made the Squadron Commander, Charles C. Kegelman, and his crew the first USAAF members to bomb occupied Europe.

--GreGen

Heroes of the Air 2018 Calendar: The Eighth Air Force-- Part 1: "The Mighty Eighth"

Put out by the Paralyzed Veterans of America organization.

History and beautiful artwork by Gil Cohen.

In World War II, the Eighth Air Force (8th AF) became the greatest air armada of any country during the war in any war with an estimated 350,000 Americans serving by the war's end.  At peak strength, the 8th AF could put up over 2,000 four-engined bombers and more than 1,000 fighters on a mission.

For these reasons the 8th AF is also known as "The Mighty Eighth."

The 8th AF was activated as part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) in January 1942 at Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia.  Colonel Asa N. Duncan was named its first commander.

--GreGen