Memphis Belle Gunners

[Jack Cook]

S/Sgt. John P. Quinlan - Tail Gunner

S/Sgt. Cecil H. Scott - Ball Turret Gunner

[mustangdriver]

Jack, those are great pictures.

[Jack Cook]

I have more
and you're the AFM/Belle guru

[mustangdriver]

I know, there always seems to be photos that pop up just when you thought you had seen them all.

[Richard W.]

Just gorgeous pictures, Jack, as usual.

I've always wondered about those "kill" markings on the MB, though.

When bomber gunners claimed an enemy aircraft, what procedure was in place to verify that claim?

The MB had 8 swastikas on it. Where would that record put it among other bombers in the 8th? Near the top?

[Jack Cook]

1 ME-109 goes through a formation and everyone shots at him.
He guns it and emmitts so smoke from the engine has he dives away.
At debriefing the IOs sift through 100+ kill claims

[Richard W.]

Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking, too.

I wonder if the AAF public relations machine had anything to do with it.

[mustangdriver]

Or good shooting.

[Richard W.]

Yes, it's not impossible that the claims were true.

I only threw the question out to the group because I don't recall reading anything about this aspect of the Memphis Belle's story.

[mustangdriver]

Well one thing we have to remember is that the Belle flew most of it's missions when the german air force was in full force. Fighters were everywhere. More targets=More chances to get kills.

[oscardeuce]

That belly gunner has really looks like the actor who portrayed him i hte movie!

[Jack Cook]

BUMP