14 Apr Schweinfurt

“ … death (was) all around you. After a while instead of a battle aiming at you, it was something that you were watching. That’s how your mind protects itself.” (quote from episode #7)

The German city of Schweinfurt was the major center for ball bearing production during the war. When it was bombed by the 8th AF in 1943, the losses of bombers and men were devastating. October 14, 1943, which became to be known as “Black Thursday,” occurred just before Herman and his crew arrived at Thurleigh. Undoubtedly they were replacement crews for the large numbers recently lost.

Another 8th Air Force Bomb Group, the 91st, is noted for having suffered the greatest number of losses of any heavy bomb group in World War II. This is where the crew of the Memphis Belle flew their 25 missions before going home. They were based first at Kimbolton, then at Bassingbourn, just slightly southeast of Thurleigh.

At their website www.91stbombgroup.com, I found a wealth information about Schweinfurt. On August 17, 1943, the 91st Bomb Group led the mission to bomb the ball-bearing factories at Schweinfurt, and they lost 10 aircraft. On October 14, 1943, again flying beyond the range of fighter escorts, the 91st as well as the entire 8th Air Force again suffered devastating losses.

The 8th Air Force did not schedule a trip to Schweinfurt again until Big Week when long-range fighter escorts were there to help protect the heavy bombers against the German fighters.

At the 91st’s website, you can find links to some vintage videos just downloaded to YouTube. These were filmed around the time of the war and are excellent visuals of what the crews were experiencing. The 8 part series named “Schweinfurt” was produced by CBS Television and the US Air Force. I’m not sure when it was filmed, but the narrator is talking about the August 1943 mission. I have chosen the 5th episode which shows first the German fighter planes and then great footage inside the B-17.

At this page, you will be able to click on the episodes in order: www.youtube.com/91stbombgroup . Each is only 2-3 minutes long.

#1: Intro including the wake-up call of the crew members who will be flying.

#2: Ground crew readying the bombers and the crew briefings.

#3: The B-17 crew climbs on the plane. Explains why Schweinfurt is a critical target – the German war machine runs on ball bearings.

#4: B-17’s flying in formation. Shows what happens in Berlin when they are alerted that the bombers are coming. Their pilots jump from their card games into the fighter planes.

#5: begins with ME 109’s and then you see the B-17 in a fight. Describes the strength of the Luftwaffe at that time and the fact that the Allied long-range fighter support has not yet arrived.

#6: Combat footage. The narrator explains that there is “no time to take care of the wounded.” It’s obvious that there is barely time to think! The flak is thick. Here is where the bombardier takes control of the plane.

#7: More combat footage. “ … death all around you. After a while instead of a battle aiming at you, it was something that you were watching. That’s how your mind protects itself.”

#8, #9, #10

Thanks to the veterans who maintain this site. It’s so important to preserve this history, and you’ve done it in a very professional way.

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