Initiation
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 19661
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The tail-gunner of a B17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Foxy Lady" shuddered
as the Fortress behind his was hit by flak. Only three of the thirteen
crew managed to escape before the stricken bomber began its final dive
which saw it crash and demolish a row of houses on the outskirts of the
city. This was Sergeant Fred D'Honaire's first taste of war. During the flight to the target Fred had fired somewhat erratically in the direction of a number of Messerschmitt 109's and Focke Wulf 190's when they mixed it with the formation's escort over France. Rather unsurprisingly he didn't manage to hit any of the enemy aircraft. Many of the planes of Fred's squadron had been hit in one way or another, but so far there had been no losses. It was only on the return journey that things hotted up. The squadron lost five aircraft in total, two to flak, and the others to enemy fighters. One of the latter aircraft managed to make over the coast on two of its engines, but the loss of a third meant it had to ditch. Fortunately for the surviving members of the crew, they were rescued not long after by a RAF rescue launch. Fred's aircraft made it safely back to the Air Base situated outside of the small English village of Hoxley, with the worst injury being the ball gunner's shattered arm. After Fred's debriefing he decided to...
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TCO (Sorry if this seems boring)
9/11/2003 12:50:46 PM
Extending Enabled
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