Fighter Login


May 11, 2016 | 2:20 PM EDT

By John Burk

During WW2, American bomber aircraft would fly long missions deep into German occupied territory in order to knock out installations of industry such as railheads, factories, and supply depots.

The life expectancy for a bombardier during those times wasn't long. They encountered high volumes of enemy contact from either enemy aircraft, or anti-aircraft guns (flak guns) from the ground.

 

 

 

When the aircraft wasn't near enemy territory, there was no resistance. It wasn't bothering anyone. It was simply flying alone and not causing anyone any dismay. When the aircraft began to enter enemy territory, soon it began to encounter all manner of enemy attacks.

Many of these enemy installations were fortified due to the ever present danger of a bombing run from American or allied bombers. As soon as they spotted an enemy aircraft, anti-aircraft rounds were fired into the sky. These rounds, also know as flak, would fly into the air and then burst in proximity to the aircraft, sending jagged hot shards of shrapnel into it in hopes of shooting it down.

 

 

As the bomber drew even closer to the target, more flak was thrown at it. The bomber crew members stayed focused with their eyes on the target and unwavering in the face of danger regardless of how much flak they were taken; they had a mission and we're hell bent on accomplishing that mission.

To you out there dealing with flak being thrown at you for whatever the reason, it just means you're right on target.

Bombs away fuckers!

 

Soldier of Steel