07 Feb Nose Guns in the B-17
Nose on the “Movie” Memphis Belle, a B-17F
Early on in the war, the Germans discovered a weakness in the B-17. They attacked the vulnerable nose, right where the bombardier and the navigator sat, sometimes three or four fighters at a time coming on fast and shooting right into the front of the plane.
The nose of the B-17F, an early model, was equipped with one .30 caliber machine gun that provided insufficient defense. The side guns could not be fired straight ahead.
Sgt. James C. Green, Jr., an armorer, and Sgt. Ben Marcilonis, as welder, both from the 306th Bomb Group at Thurleigh, determined to find a solution. In their spare time, the two came up with a way to mount a .50 caliber machine gun to provide more protection. This solution wasn’t ideal because the Norden bombsight, immediately beneath the gun, got in the way. The change offered a definite improvement, however, and Lockheed personnel in Ireland made the mounts for the planes in the 306th and other bomb groups.
Marcilonis credited Green with the idea for the new mount and explained in a 1943 interview, “It only took a week to do the job, but we had to work like hell sometimes, running back and forth from ship to shop to get measurements, fit parts and finally install the mount.”
Green and Marcilonis were awarded the Legion of Merit medal for their work. Unfortunately, at the time of the presentation, Green was in a German prisoner of war camp. His brief flying career had been cut short.
The nose of a B-17G
When the new B-17G came out in 1943, it was better equipped for such protection with a chin turret and twin .50 caliber machine guns installed just under the nose. The bombardier operated them by remote control. The first G models arrived at Thurleigh Airfield on September 19, 1943, fortunately in time the crew of the Liberty Lady.
As always, I welcome edits and comments. I am no expert. Instead, I like to call myself a student of World War II who enjoys blogging her research.
Resources:
First Over Germany: A History of the 306th Bombardment Group by Russell A. Strong, 1982
“Strong Speaks at Thurleigh,” 369th Echoes, October 1992.
Article by Dr. Vivian Rogers-Price at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Aviators Hot Line
Join our Facebook group “306th Bomb Group – First over Germany”
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