Nostalgia - B -29s
Pops was an MD with the 3rd Marine Division in the Japanese campaign. He was with the Marines from 1943 through 1945. His last island station was Guam in the Marianas Group. It was there where a little prank was played on Pops.
With other island bases in the Pacific, including Guam, the bombing of Japan increased as the possibility of invading Japan rose higher and higher as we prepared for that eventuality.
One very early morning my Dad took his morning stroll near the B-29s as they began to warm up for a morning flight to Japan. One of the pilots, who knew my Dads love for flying, asked if he wanted to go for a ride. It was, of course, a set-up. Dad said, "Sure."
He was told to climb up into the fuselage and take the seat in the upper bubble that didn't seem to have a gun. Evidently the intercom was active and everyone in the plane could hear the conversation.
Dad asked what the camera in the bubble was for? The pilot replied, "Once were airborne and you see several targets coming toward us, all you have to do is point the "little camera" and focus on the nearest rapidly approaching Zero and pull the trigger! You see Doc, that little camera co-ordinates every gun on the "29." You are the "main man!"
Dad asked where they were going? Pilot replied, "Japan Doc, Japan!" Lots of laughter ensued as my Dad was yelling about a possible court martial and was quickly finding his way out of the stationary B-29 warming up!
Humor had its way of easing the tensions for all involved on the dangerous formation soon to take off toward Japan.
Pops was an MD with the 3rd Marine Division in the Japanese campaign. He was with the Marines from 1943 through 1945. His last island station was Guam in the Marianas Group. It was there where a little prank was played on Pops.
With other island bases in the Pacific, including Guam, the bombing of Japan increased as the possibility of invading Japan rose higher and higher as we prepared for that eventuality.
One very early morning my Dad took his morning stroll near the B-29s as they began to warm up for a morning flight to Japan. One of the pilots, who knew my Dads love for flying, asked if he wanted to go for a ride. It was, of course, a set-up. Dad said, "Sure."
He was told to climb up into the fuselage and take the seat in the upper bubble that didn't seem to have a gun. Evidently the intercom was active and everyone in the plane could hear the conversation.
Dad asked what the camera in the bubble was for? The pilot replied, "Once were airborne and you see several targets coming toward us, all you have to do is point the "little camera" and focus on the nearest rapidly approaching Zero and pull the trigger! You see Doc, that little camera co-ordinates every gun on the "29." You are the "main man!"
Humor had its way of easing the tensions for all involved on the dangerous formation soon to take off toward Japan.
