Displaying 4237 to 4248 of 4589 results.
Wounded By A “Potato Masher”
Mr. Henley describes how the Germans tied several 'potato masher' grenades together to increase their potential for damage, and how he and his officer were badly wounded by one of these devices.
“Blighties” and a Good Sleep
Mr. Henley discusses the fact that a 'blighty', a condition or wound requiring hospitalization in England, offered everyone a good night's sleep. However, his rehab requires being awakened at 4 am every morning to have his leg wound irrigated.
Sergeant As a Father Figure
Mr. Henley describes an amusing incident in which his sergeant, an older, family man, steers him away from a brothel.
Why Enlist?
Mr. Kondra discusses his reasons for enlisting, namely having a steady job and and feeling a sense on patriotic obligation.
Basic And Bomb Aimer Training
Mr. Kondra describes hoping to be selected for pilot school after basic training. Not accepted for this role, he trains to be a bomb aimer, front gunner and assistant navigator.
Advanced Training In England
Mr. Kondra discusses the additional training necessary to become crew on a Lancaster bomber.
Joining an Air Crew
Mr. Kondra describes the circumstances and logistics by which he was selected as a member of a Lancaster crew.
Bomb Aiming - Technology And Technique
Mr. Kondra describes the technology used in bomb aiming, and the variables, such as wind speed and visibility, that affect the accurate delivery of a bomb load.
Night Bombing Challenges
Mr. Kondra discusses the difficulty of locating and bombing targets at night. He describes the role of Pathfinders in dropping flares to help illuminate targets, and how a flash bomb helped to capture photos of the destruction in the targeted area.
Near Collision With An ME-109
Mr. Kondra describes one risk of flying, a near head-on collision with a German Messerschmidt 109. He describes the German pilot's skill in avoiding the fire of his crew's mid-upper gunner.
Night Fighters And Fuel Tanks
Mr. Kondra describes the German strategy of attacking the unprotected belly of a Lancaster, where vulnerable fuel tanks led to many aircraft exploding in mid-air. He goes on to describe countermeasures to make fuel tanks less vulnerable.
German Defenses And Evasive Maneuvers
Mr. Kondra describes the fact that bombers were anti-aircraft targets from the North Sea into Germany. He discusses the risk from night fighters, and from being coned, a German technique of isolating a bomber in beams of light.
Displaying 4237 to 4248 of 4589 results.