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Chapter 3 — The Calm Before the Storm The Charles Reed Holden Story by Charles “Reed” Holden of a WW II shoot-down and POW experience as related by a B-17 Ball Gunner: |
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| The Officers reported in and completed the required paper work, while the rest of the crew shed their flight gear and headed to their new quarters which they shared with another bomber crew. Two of the new crew members started to discuss who was going to occupy a certain bunk, overhearing the discussion, one of the other crew members already occupying the Quonset replied, “Don’t worry, take any one you want, you won’t be here very long”. No one knew at that time that no truer words were ever spoken. The crew settled in their bunk area, cleaned up, and went to the “Mess Hall” for some of that great Army chow and then hit the sack for some much needed sleep. The next day our A/C (Lt. A.K. Reno) informed us that the plane we flew over from the states had been assigned to another crew for a mission and we would be getting a different plane, more than likely one that had been on a raid and was being repaired. It was a common occurrence for a plane to be hit over a target and would limp home to safety. Many crews were not as lucky and would be shot down on the way to the target by the German fighter planes or get hit by flak over the target and go down in flames. Waiting for planes to be repaired gave the crews a little rest before being called upon for another mission. If the crews didn’t get a short respite between missions, they would burnout from fatigue and become useless in the war against Germany. While waiting for our plane, we had other duties to perform or we had time to get familiar with the facilities the base provided for the men of the Eighth Air Force. The next mission scheduled was a daylight raid and the crews had to report to briefing at 0400 hours. One crew was short a ball turret gunner, so Sgt. Holden was selected to fly the position with that crew for his first mission. The primary target was Augsburg, Germany, but the target was completely clouded over, so the decision was made to change course and head for the secondary target which was Munich. The mission was successful and the crew returned to base unscathed. |
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Lower Ball Turrets Reed Holden’s office work-space was the lower ball turret on a B-17 Bomber. For those who are less familiar with this work environment, I have found drawings of the lower ball turret of a B-24 of the same vintage. The ball turret gunner did not remain in this position throughout the mission. He had a location in the aft section of the B-17 or B-24 where he could ride with safety belt protection during take-offs, landings, and while airborne enroute-to and returning-from enemy territory. When the enemy threatened, he would move into his position. Right: The B-24’s ball turret shown in the Below: Ball turret with gunner in place, with |
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End of Chapter 3 — Go To Chapter 4 Cover Page — Introductions — Table of Contents Chapter — 01 — 02 — 03 — 04 — 05 — 06 — 07 — 08 or Home - Contact Us - Cold War Hist. - 91st SRS Hist. - Stardust 40 Mission Story |
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