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Clyde L. Mings
9/14/2007 8:32:49 PM | Maybe I can add a little to the events on 24 Aug.1944.Jill's Jalopy was our wingman in the low rear element when we bombed Weimnar. Our target was armament and rocket factories(not a concentration camp).We came under heavy fighter attacks and our crew was credited with kills, probables, and damaged ME-109's . As I recall, there were six chutes popped when it went down. It was a hectic time and the Luftewaffe were so close you could have hit them with a .45! They were almost suicidal in their attacks.
We lost 3 B-17;s in the air battles in two different attacks.Jills Jalopy (Lt. Fish's crew) Down n Go (lt. Finney crew) and Carrie B II ( Lt. McCain crew) were shot down.
I was radio gunner on Madame Queen (Lt. Kuta's crew)
Many aircraft sufffered damage-ours was beat up pretty badly and barely made it back. The copilot -Lt. Chartier- said the crew chief counted 246 holes in his beloved bird!
I took a hit in the plywood radio chair seat but the flak hit flat and did not fully penetrate or I would have been a soprano! Jarred my teeth!I can say I did not get a Purple Heart but I DID get a Purple Butt! Still have the chunk that the crew chief dug out and gsve to me as a souvenir. The ground crews were magnificent and if anyone know the address of the Madame Queen's please send it- my address book was lost when I was sent back overseas to Egypt.
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Donald Byers
9/16/2007 2:12:11 PM | Thanks for that Clyde. My uncle was on the Carrie B II (Lt. Maxwel Cain's crew) His parachute didn't open after he bailed out.
Don Byers
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Donald Byers
9/16/2007 2:58:47 PM | Also my uncle trained with Lt. Fish's crew in the states and was removed from that crew when they got to England due to the change in numbers from 10 to 9 men crews.
Don
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Donald Byers
9/16/2007 2:58:47 PM | Also my uncle trained with Lt. Fish's crew in the states and was removed from that crew when they got to England due to the change in numbers from 10 to 9 men crews.
Don
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Joe La Grasta
9/24/2007 5:23:59 PM | Hi Clyde:
I flew many missions on my Jill's Jalopy as a Tail Gunner. We were alerted to fly on Aug.24 1944 but a change of plan they told us were not to fly. Jack Lippert was the Pilot and Jill Lippert is still living who's name our B-17. I also have the flight formation on that mission. Madame Queen 931 was flying in front of Fish and Cain both shot down. Keep in touch with me would like to e-mail you.
Joe La Grasta. 818-343-2495
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Greg Marino
7/18/2010 7:45:53 PM | Hello Clyde...My name is Greg Marino. My uncle, 2nd LT Leslie Hauss, was co-pilot of Jill's Jalopy. I've actually had the privileged to speak to Warren Smith. (Thank you Joe for arranging this)Warren was the TT/FE and gave me a great perspective of that day and answered important questions. I've actually visited the crash site of Jills Jalopy with a metal detector and my uncles final resting spot. If you'd like to chat,please email me. Thank you for your post and take care! Greg nu4r@hotmail.com
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