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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
4/4/2012 7:49:29 PM | Ok everyone of you guys have probably heard of or read odd stories of things that happened to our 401st crew members, but what I just read had me in disbelief and then laughing. Since I read it on government forms I guess it is oh so true so here is my story for today to share.
As I was reading through information I had requested on my Dad Jack T. Sharp there was included what appeared to be a monthly summary for July 1944 written by Captain Gordon R. Closway I found the following bit of information.
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One of our crews whose brakes went out when a piece of flak pierced the hydraulic tube used a gag they had read about in STARS & STRIPES. They plugged the hole and then urinated into the hydraulic system, result: a perfect landing was made without difficulty.
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This was a new one for me...had any of the rest of you heard this story?
Jackie
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wjpettit
4/5/2012 6:42:36 AM | Jackie.This is from my dad's journal:"July 18 1944 mission Fourteen 9hrs 25 min Pienemunde, Germany Chemical Plant, 10-500# G.P. B-17G 42-107009, 2780 Gals Gas, Hydraulic system shot out by flak over target. Plugged line & filled system with Piss. Worked OK on landing. Public relations took pictures of crew on our return. Fighter escort P-51, P-47 & P-38, No loses in our Gp. No enemy sighted Altitude 2500 ft." 42-107009 was "Lady Jane"dad was TT/ENG on 1st Lt J.R. Lippert's crew, with Joe Lagrasta as Tail gunner. The 401 site has 42-107009 being flown by 2nd Lt M.M. Cain and crew on that date so I don't know the whole story and dad is gone. wjpettit, son of George Pettit, TT/ENG on "Jill's Jalopy"
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
4/5/2012 7:36:24 AM | I knew it had to be a true story since I read it in a document I received. According to what I have read The Stars & Stripes had printed the idea as a gag and when this happened to the plane I think you said~~ The Lady Jane~~ the crew really did it! I thought the story was too good not to share and I am glad to know which B-17 it was. I hope you re-post your note on Face Book on the 401st page as I am sure that more than a few people thought I was telling a fairy tale.... 😂
I can't help but wonder what other good stories are out there! Thank you so much for sharing your Dad's notes. Would love to hear more from any of the crew that may know more. Does anyone else know more about this story?
Jackie
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