A WWII Aviator’s Diary

When the United States’ entered into WWII, one of the first big steps was to join Britain’s strategic air campaign to destroy Nazi Germany’s industrial capacity. Part of this major effort was launching B-17 “Flying Fortresses” from bases in England’s eastern countryside. 

Sometimes up to 1,000 of these heavy bombers would take part in raids flying in three-dimensional formations in which aircraft were stacked one above the other to take advantage of the B-17’s defensive firepower. The B-17 carried 13 .50-caliber machine guns and had a crew of 10. Even with heavy machine guns that could fire from the front, back, top, bottom, and sides of the four-engine B-17, early in the war losses were high. It was decided early on that Americans would bomb targets during the day while the British attacked at night. Missions penetrated deep into enemy territory, with some lasting up to eight hours. Losses were high due to flak and the Luftwaffe.

Early in the war America’s bomber crews were limited to 25 missions. As conditions improved this was increased to 35 missions. With the 8th Air Force, the largest of the Army Air Forces that conducted heavy bombing of enemy targets in France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, one source indicated the 8th Air Force lost more members in WWII than all of the members of the U.S. Marine Corps.

This author recently had an opportunity to have access to a personal diary of an American B-17 co-pilot. Walter Seal, a local historian and collector, came into possession of the diary a decade ago while purchasing other military items. In the diary, the unknown co-pilot carefully recorded a hand-printed record of each of his 35 missions. The diary provides a remarkable and historically accurate account of the missions, rich in detail. No record of the individual’s name appeared.

What follows is a detailed but edited account of the diary with anything in brackets clarifications offered by this writer. Each mission is listed in bold letters and is quoted exactly as written by our unknown co-pilot with his own spelling, abbreviations, and punctuation.

Based on accounts the diary writer was part 8th Air Force, 398th bomber group that arrived Aug. 17, 1944 at an airbase in southeast England called Debden Buncher. After a 1st practice mission our co-pilot gives detailed information of each mission over Europe.

Results- Went in at 30,000 and encountered heavy Flak. Was cut out at target by another group resulting in no bombs dropped. Proceeded to secondary and malfunction in lead bombsight resulted in no bombs dropped. Flak was very accurate but not too heavy. Went to target of opportunity. Made three passes at target but lead bomber couldn’t see target due to haze. No Flak. Brought bombs home. Really sweat this one out. Flying all over der Vaterland with bomb bays open.

 Secondary –Airport in Berlin-Templehof Airdome. Results-Unfavorable weather condition forced cancellation of mission after we had flown over Denmark & were approaching enemy coast. Wing in front then went in & bombed Emdew & was shot up badly. We were hit with flak off W. Frisian & encountered rockets. Flak containing incendiary pellets and thermite & mg. Flying was difficult due to extreme turbulence. Pilot and I sweat entire mission. Oooh-me. We were credited with mission to Berlin.

Results- we bombed PFF through a thick overcast.(PFF was the use of an airborne RADAR developed by MIT technology) There was no flak en route as were over enemy territory very short time. Flak was moderately heavy. One ship came home on two engines.

Results- We bombed PFF, there being clouds over target. Newspapers reported this raid as the opening of the Battle of Germany. The ground was visible across France & I observed bomb marks all over the countryside, particularly road, bridges,& railroad yards. Bombing results looked good. Flak was heavy over target but we plastered hell out of them.

We bombed PFF, the cloud cover 10/10 just over target. We had intensive flak over target with one crew sustaining direct hit in radio room. They went down over target. (Wright) on 2nd mission. Gunner was wounded and another was anoxic. We had to salvo over target. Could not close doors & had to fly to Channel before we succeeded in closing them.

 Results- A nine hr. mission in which we crossed six countries-Den. –Eng-Ger-Czech-Fr. & Holland. This was very long. We made a feint at Berlin & were attacked by fighters. The 51’s got 3 109’s there &two Forts exploded & one went down. Below Berlin we were hit again and no more Forts went down. Both attacks were on the wing ahead & behind us. We were very fortunate. Our no. 4 prop began running away at Berlin & we controlled it by pushing the feathering button for two hours. Over the target hits on our ship. Weather over Eng. was bad,clouds forcing us to cross Eng at 1000’. Almost collided with formations of C-47’s taking supplies to France.
Saw White Cliffs of Dover for first time. Would rather look at the brown hills of Penn. (Clue that the co-pilot was from Pennsylvania).

The writers diary states “This was by far our easiest mission.”

Results –climbed to 21G’s and entered Germany, working like hell to fly on a lead who was off the ball. At the IP our element leader’s No. 1 caught on fire & he left formation later bailing out the crew & crash landing OK. There was no flak over the target. We bombed a new style 3 wings were stacked at 24,268. Each low,hi & lead group bombed separately on a little behind the next higher group of the other wing. Complicated, huh? Suppose to reduce time in the flak area. Made two turns and proceeded nonchalantly to base.

Results – Arose at a pleasant 6:30 and in due time assembled at 20G’s. We proceeded over der Vaterland in fine style. At the IP opens the doors and the Heinies quit eating kraut for a little while. Flak was moderate & very accurate. Hall’s co-pilot was hit in the foot but in true co-pilot style will be out for the duration. Began letting down and just as we were leaving the Dutch coast at 18 hrs a beautiful barrage of flak greeted us but no damage. Returned safe and sound.

Results- A beautiful 9 hour mission in which my rump became very tired. Flew at 5000 almost to Jutland Peninsula climbed to 20G. Entered Germany with excellent visibility. Large flotilla of ships in Kiel. We were low squadron & high sqdn failed to uncover us result they practically bombed
on top of us. We knocked hell outa that factory, smoke being visible for quite some distance. There was absolutely no flak, I repeat, no flak over the target and none even close to us. Boy what a day.

Our co-pilot’s diary would record one of the most famous events of the 8th Airforce when embarking on the mission.

Results-Today brought the realization of combat closer than it ever had been. It began as we were taxiing out in the darkness. Observed tremendous flame of lite lit up in sky which later was a lead ship that blew up on takeoff. Assembled & proceeded to target. Flak was terrific and deadly accurate. Few seconds later, Delancy who was Flying #3 lead ship received a direct hit in the nose instantly killing the togolier(The togolier was responsible for arming and dropping the bombs in lieu of a bombardier. Dropping bombs involved flipping or toggling switches that activate the bomb release mechanism) and knocking Le Doux into the catwalk. The shell came thru chin turret and into nose before exploding-taking of the entire nose. The chin turret was dangling and Nav. Guns were almost in props. Instrument panel was shot up with only MP-tach & mag compass left. Delancey flew this ship back to the base in that condition. LeDoux received small scratch from flak. It was a miracle these fellows returned. Tail gunner in 603 died from anoxia also. The lead navigator took us on a sightseeing tour of Germany & we encounter 3 more flak area. Cranked doors shut and proceeded home to 10/10 coverage & ceiling of 800ft. Made instrument let down & landed near darkness.

The amazing story of the B-17 that had it nose shot off as detailed in our co-pilots diary is covered in great detail at http://www.398h.org/history/Articles/Rembrances/Ostrom_FortressHome.htl. 

This B-17’s pilot was Lt. Delancy and co-pilot 1st Lt. Phillip H. Stahlman. Ray LeDoux the navigator stood behind the pilot and co-pilot and gave headings by memory. 1st Lt. Lawrence DeLancey was awarded a silver star for bringing the plane home and 2nd Lt Raymond J. LeDoux, received the Distinguished Flying cross. On this particular B-17 it would be the final mission for the co-pilot 1st Lt. Phillip H. Stahlman who was a substitute co-pilot on this historic mission. In the meantime our unknown co-pilot would be only on his 17th mission and later stay on active duty to his 35th and final mission.

Results- This was a beautiful milk run. We assembled at altitude. We were heading the division were the first ones over the target. We proceeded to target, dropped our bombs and not one burst of flak, but after turning we perceived other groups receiving hits. Came back to England, let down over base & landed.

Results-If any more missions are like this one, we won’t be around at 35, I’m sure. Assembled at 9G’s &entered Germany OK. Then we went into the target area & into the most intense flak in the world, not in one place but all over. We spent 33 min in flak, which is a lifetime. After dropping bombs, Campbell, our element lead, No. 2 Engine caught on fire & he dove straight down. Morrison & us figuring it was evasive action did likewise but we pulled up, Morrison went on down for about 1000 ft. 3 chutes were observed. At this time the luftwaffe came in very strong about 12 abreast out of the sun on our tail. Tail gunner blasted hell out of something. The fighter strafed Campbell’s chute & Eddie claimed a probable on a 109. They got 5 ships in the low sqdn. We finally emerged from the holacoust & over Holland we got more flak one piece coming thru the bombardiers nose hitting his flak suit, the ball turret’s oxygen was shot out & flak broke the window above the pilot showering glass on both of us. He getting glass in his eyes but is ok. I am disgustingly healthy. Returned OK. Here’s hoping we never have another mission like that one or maybe the flak’s getting me down. Frankly I’m scared as hell of it. 41 bombers lost on this mission.

Note in the actual notes of the unknown co-pilot’s diary for the 21st Mission, the writer is quoted saying “we won’t be around at 35”. This was not referring to the age of 35 but to the required 35 missions pilots were then required to fly before leaving the combat zone. Between Nov 2, 44 our co-pilot’s diary indicates by 28 December 1944 he would successfully complete his 31st mission. He was nearing his magic number of 35 missions.

Results – We were to bomb a bridge in support of the troops. Assembled at 15G’s uneventfully and proceeded OK with minor interruptions. Went in at 23Gs with a few contrails and I saw two bursts of flak. This was a beautiful mission & ended by coming home with no clouds over England which is a miracle. Circled Debden for 45 min while lead landed. P’Oed slightly but landed. Slick as sugar & twice as greasy. Hope the next three are like it.

Results- What promised to be a milk run turned out to be a practice mission although Al finished up. I flew with Andrews. We started engines early to find No. 4 with a mag drop of 150. Mechanics worked on it but no good. Changed ships & tore out. Climbed to 20 G’s in record time. Contrails were dense persistent & visibility just wasn’t. Over channel things brightened up, but about 15 min from the Belgium coast we lost no. 3 turbo & couldn’t keep up. Then No 2 turbo began fluctuating & we dropped way behind, but we were cutting the formation off when No. 1 began throwing oil & had to feather. Came back on 3 eng. & dropped our bombs in Channel from 1500 & boy did it rock the ship. Landed ok.

Our unknown co-pilots final entry on January 7, 1945 indicated he was on his way to meet friends in London after completing his last mission. He had made his fateful quota of 35 missions as many B-17 crew members would ultimately do, but we remember thousands of B-17 pilots and crew members who did not beat the odds. 

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