My Uncle Joe was a member of the Heroic Crew of B17F "Rikki Tikki Tavi" (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

Thanks to the incredibly generous assistance of forum member and retired U.S. Army Major Zach Bogue, as well as his friend Geoff Ward, my family for the first time knows what happened to my Uncle, Tech Sergeant Joseph J. Amanna.

T/Sgt Joseph J. Amanna was assigned to the 96th Bomb Group, 339th Squadron, and, when a staff sergeant, was the right waist gunner on B-17F "Rikki Tikki Tavi" #42-3324, coded QJ-H, flying from Station 138, Snetterton Heath Airbase on Route 11 near Attleborough, England. He was promoted to Tech Sergeant after completing a number of missions, and on the May 7th mission when he was killed, he was the radio operator of the Fortress. The pilot's name was Lt. Neil H. Behrens. The complete crew who flew with my uncle on the fateful day was as follows:

Pilot 2/Lt Neil H. Behrens POW
Co Pilot 2/Lt Gordon N Spring KIA
Navigator 2/Lt Robert A. Dulaney. KIA
Bombardier 2/Lt Thomas J. Mc Rae KIA
Radio T/Sgt Joseph J. Amanna KIA
Eng. T/sgt Carrol W. Taylor POW
Ball Turret S/Sgt Joseph R. Neuhuettler KIA
Waist Gunner S/Sgt Dinno Armanini KIA
Waist Gunner S/Sgt Willis A. Bryant KIA
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Charles E. Douglas KIA

The Missing Air Crew Report #4565, and the accounts of the pilot, Lt. Behrens, and the engineer, T/Sgt Taylor, provide the following account of the mission:

May 7th, 1944 had brought a milestone in combat for the 8th. For the first time the significant figure of 1,000 bombers (B-17s and B-24’s) was dispatched for missions. The main target for this mission was a day attack on Berlin. Despite problems with the valves of the Tokio tank, which had frozen, the Rikki Tikki Tavi had completed its mission and successfully released its bombs over Berlin. On returning from the target, the pilot reduced the altitude in an attempt to defrost the hydraulic fluid, which operates the valves to the Tokio Tanks, which had frozen, up making it impossible for the crew to obtain the fuel in the tokio tanks. The official army accident reports states that three of the engines failed. Basically, the plane ran out of gas just after it left the target, because of the hydraulics failure. Lt. Neil Behrens, the pilot, crawled back to the bomb bay area to try to adjust it. He was unable to open the valve. After getting to lower altitude, the pilot gave orders to bail out. The navigator and Sgt Taylor were the first out. Lt. Neil Behrens, the pilot, jumped separately or by his account was thrown out of the bomb bay doors from the extreme G forces. After their jumps the plane sustained a direct hit by flak, exploded and crashed. Only Lt. Behrens and Sgt Taylor survived.

The fact that the crew chose to remain with the bomber stream and complete their mission, instead of turning from the target in an attempt to get home speaks volumes of my Uncle Joe, and the brave men he flew with. Without the courage and sacrifice of these men and the other members of this greatest generation, none of us would live free. It is my intention, now that I have been provided with a photograph of the Rikki Tikki Tavi, to take Rick Wang of Figarti up on his offer to build me a model of my Uncle's B17, and to take Zach's generous offer to have a friend of his paint me a painting of the Rikki Tikki Tavi to hang over my shrine to my Uncle up in my display area.

I want to extend a special thanks to Zach Bogue ("Zach" here on the forum) and his friend Geoff Ward, without whom I never would have obtained this information.

When I passed it along to my mother, she was in tears. In the course of the research, when I informed her what Zach was doing on our family's behalf, she for the first time told me about how she, a then 11 year old girl, was present in her family kitchen on Washington Avenue in the Bronx when the MIA telegram arrived. Her mother, whom she had never seen smoke, grabbed her younger sister Louise's pack of cigarettes, and began chain smoking. By the time confirmation came of my Uncle's death months later, my grandmother had bleeding ulcers. It really brought home to me the sacrifices made by the families of those brave men as well.

 

[jazzeum]

That's a pretty amazing story Louis. I'm glad after all these years your family could finally find out.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I sent Brad a photo of Snetterton Airbase taken in 1943, a photo of the B17 Rikki Tikki Tavi, and three photos of my Uncle Joe, one in his dress uniform, one in his flight suit, and one before the war with his fiancee, along with a polite request that he post them on this thread.:smile2:

 

[jazzeum]

Here are the photos. The one of the air base didn't come out as it's not in Jpeg format.

 

[jazzeum]

Here's a photo of Snetterton Air Field that I managed to find. Snetterton, which opened in 1943, was home to 337th, 338th, 339th and 413th Bombardment Squadrons of the 96th Bomb Group (Heavy) and was equipped with the B-17 Flying Fortress. Flew 321 missions with the loss of 189 aircraft in action along with another 50 lost in accidents. Lead group on many missions including the Schweinfurt raid on October 14, 1943.

 

[lancer]

Fantastic family history, Louis. Certainly uplifting that the questions were answered. The 96th BG was obviously a very busy group, with high losses. I do not know much about numbers of aircraft engaged, but 239 aircraft lost sounds like a very high percentage (200%+) and very indicative of just how heavily the 96th was engaged and, more to the point, just how stressful and dangerous it was to bomb the Reich. They were all heroes in my view. As a matter of interest, do you know where the aircraft name "Rikki Tikki Tavi" came from? It sounds Wizard of Oz to me. -- Al

 

[Currahee Chris]

I am so very very happy for you and your family Louis to get some closure on this event. The guy was extraordinary. A big STANDS ALONE to him and yours.

Congratulations on the proud achievements of your family. Tell this story to all the generations following you- tell it till you no longer have breath in your lungs. All their stories need to be told.

CC

 

[Louis Badolato]

Fantastic family history, Louis. Certainly uplifting that the questions were answered. The 96th BG was obviously a very busy group, with high losses. I do not know much about numbers of aircraft engaged, but 239 aircraft lost sounds like a very high percentage (200%+) and very indicative of just how heavily the 96th was engaged and, more to the point, just how stressful and dangerous it was to bomb the Reich. They were all heroes in my view. As a matter of interest, do you know where the aircraft name "Rikki Tikki Tavi" came from? It sounds Wizard of Oz to me. -- Al

The 96th suffered the 2nd most losses of any bomb group in the 8th Airforce.

"Rikki Tikki Tavi" is the title of a Rudyard Kipling short story about a mongoose who saves a boy and his family from two evil cobras.

 

[lancer]

The 96th suffered the 2nd most losses of any bomb group in the 8th Airforce.

"Rikki Tikki Tavi" is the title of a Rudyard Kipling short story about a mongoose who saves a boy and his family from two evil cobras.

That is quite a record the 96th BG has. That stat is just heart breaking. Thanks for answering the name question. Very interesting and creative. -- Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

Want to hear a really freaky coincidence? When I wrote my novel about WWII over the summer, I had very little information about my Uncle, other than that he died in an 8th Airforce B17 over Germany, and (incorrectly) that he was a tail gunner. When I wrote the novel, I made him an experienced bomber crewman who had flown many missions, and he died on mission in May, 1944 to bomb Berlin.

Now I find out he died May 7, 1944 on a mission to bomb Berlin. Pretty strange coincidence, huh?

I am actually going to re-write the novel to reflect the true story of the Rikki Tikki Tavi, with the correct date and story of the last mission.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I am so very very happy for you and your family Louis to get some closure on this event. The guy was extraordinary. A big STANDS ALONE to him and yours.

Congratulations on the proud achievements of your family. Tell this story to all the generations following you- tell it till you no longer have breath in your lungs. All their stories need to be told.

CC

My son and daughter have been hearing what little I knew about my Uncle Joe since they were old enough to talk. I have already started telling them the complete story, and will keep doing it until it is ingrained in their DNA. My Uncle Joe will not be forgotten if I have any say in the matter.

We also found out where Uncle Joe's body is buried, and it is within driving distance. The next time my mom comes up to visit, and every time thereafter, we are going to go to his grave and properly pay our respects. Plus, as soon as my youngest is old enough for a long flight, I am taking the family to Snetterton, to see the field from which Uncle Joe flew.

 

[Mitch]

Louis....

I am very pleased for you and your family. a chapter can be closed and a new one with excellent info can be opened. I was fortunate that my grandfather and two uncles all survived with a variety of wounds but, all came home and I was able to hear their stories and have all their war memorabilia. Its priceless and I can't imagine what it must have been like to not have all the information you needed or wanted.
Mitch

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis....

I am very pleased for you and your family. a chapter can be closed and a new one with excellent info can be opened. I was fortunate that my grandfather and two uncles all survived with a variety of wounds but, all came home and I was able to hear their stories and have all their war memorabilia. Its priceless and I can't imagine what it must have been like to not have all the information you needed or wanted.
Mitch

Mitch,

Thank you. I had 4 Uncles who served in the war, two of whom made it home, my Uncles Jack (9th Airforce Bomber Crew, North Africa, Sicily, Italy) and Leo (Navy, on a Rocket Boat at D-Day). Uncle Leo brought home as a warbride my Aunt Margaret from Liverpool. Uncle Leo told me a few stories about England during the war, mostly relating to meeting my Aunt Margaret and her family, but my Uncle Jack would never tell me anything about his experiences. When he passed away of old age at 89 years old a couple of years ago, my mom passed along his papers and photos to me, and I was able to find out a good deal about his service. The details of my Uncle Joe's service, however, were a big mystery until this weekend. It really is special to find out about his service 67 years after the fact.

 

[4th Hussar]

Wonderful story and I sincerely hope your children learn to appreciate why it was critical that your uncle's generation did what they did.

 

[wwiibuff]

Louis, great story about your Uncle. Thanks for sharing it and the pictures. My grandfather was a captain in Patton's 3rd and when I was a boy would hear some of the stories about being on the front lines. He passed away many years ago and I often wish I could have talked to him more about it. Also, I've known several WWII AF pilots from my hometown and had many discussions with them about their experiences and service. Most of them have passed on now. It really makes you appreciate all they did.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis, great story about your Uncle. Thanks for sharing it and the pictures. My grandfather was a captain in Patton's 3rd and when I was a boy would hear some of the stories about being on the front lines. He passed away many years ago and I often wish I could have talked to him more about it. Also, I've known several WWII AF pilots from my hometown and had many discussions with them about their experiences and service. Most of them have passed on now. It really makes you appreciate all they did.

My best friend, Billy McGrath's dad was a Sergeant in Patton's third, and he was highly decorated, having been awarded a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. There is a famous photo of Patton taking a piss off a German bridge. In the photo there is a soldier looking a bit bemused. That is my buddy's dad (he has an original copy of the photo in his dad's WWII photo album).

Do you have any photos of your grandfather from the war? If so, you should start a thread about him and post them. Every one of these brave veterans' stories should be preserved and appreciated.

 

[wwiibuff]

My best friend, Billy McGrath's dad was a Sergeant in Patton's third, and he was highly decorated, having been awarded a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. There is a famous photo of Patton taking a piss off a German bridge. In the photo there is a soldier looking a bit bemused. That is my buddy's dad (he has an original copy of the photo in his dad's WWII photo album).

Do you have any photos of your grandfather from the war? If so, you should start a thread about him and post them. Every one of these brave veterans' stories should be preserved and appreciated.

That's a good idea about the thread Louis. I'm pretty sure my mom still has some wartime photos of him. I'm going to check with her and see what she still has. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[wwiibuff]

Louis, great story about your Uncle. Thanks for sharing it and the pictures. My grandfather was a captain in Patton's 3rd and when I was a boy would hear some of the stories about being on the front lines. He passed away many years ago and I often wish I could have talked to him more about it. Also, I've known several WWII AF pilots from my hometown and had many discussions with them about their experiences and service. Most of them have passed on now. It really makes you appreciate all they did.

One story that I remember from one of the pilots I mentioned was very interesting. I had lunch with him one day a couple of years ago and started up a discussion with him about his time as a P-51 pilot. He told me the story of an escort mission when he shot down a ME-262. He said they would come in fast and be gone in no time. The P-51's would always give chase but to no avail as the ME-262 was so much faster. But one time a ME-262 he was chasing apparantly had been damaged and he was able to catch him. He said he fired on him and was getting real good hits and the jet caught fire, rolled over and the pilot ejected. But in ejecting as the plane was rolling over, the German hit his head on the tail. He dropped straight down with no chute. He was either knocked unconscious or was killed by the impact of the tail. My old friend almost sounded remorseful as he told me this. Even though the 262 pilot was the enemy, he felt sorrow that his chute didn't open. Anyway, he said that he thought his victory was the first 262 kill they knew about at the time and was probably one of the first of the war. Unfortunately my old friend was killed in a car accident a few years ago (not long after our lunch) at the age of 84 I believe.

 

[Louis Badolato]

One story that I remember from one of the pilots I mentioned was very interesting. I had lunch with him one day a couple of years ago and started up a discussion with him about his time as a P-51 pilot. He told me the story of an escort mission when he shot down a ME-262. He said they would come in fast and be gone in no time. The P-51's would always give chase but to no avail as the ME-262 was so much faster. But one time a ME-262 he was chasing apparantly had been damaged and he was able to catch him. He said he fired on him and was getting real good hits and the jet caught fire, rolled over and the pilot ejected. But in ejecting as the plane was rolling over, the German hit his head on the tail. He dropped straight down with no chute. He was either knocked unconscious and was killed by the impact of the tail. My old friend almost sounded remorseful as he told me this. Even though the 262 pilot was the enemy, he felt sorrow that his chute didn't open. Anyway, he said that he thought his victory was the first 262 kill they knew about at the time and was probably one of the first of the war. Unfortunately my old friend was killed in a car accident a few years ago (not long after our lunch) at the age of 84 I believe.

Great story, Duke. You should google your friend's name, and see if there are any account of the kill - if it was one of the first ME262 kills, its probably documented somewhere.

I have heard many accounts of people having remorse for having killed a member of the ememy forces in wartime. They may be the enemy, but they are still human beings, and must of us are raised to believe that thou shalt not kill. I'm sure that many veterans like with their wartime actions for the rest of their lives. Its one more reason that we should respect and honor these men who sacrifice so much for the rest of us.

 

[wwiibuff]

Great story, Duke. You should google your friend's name, and see if there are any account of the kill - if it was one of the first ME262 kills, its probably documented somewhere.

I have heard many accounts of people having remorse for having killed a member of the ememy forces in wartime. They may be the enemy, but they are still human beings, and must of us are raised to believe that thou shalt not kill. I'm sure that many veterans like with their wartime actions for the rest of their lives. Its one more reason that we should respect and honor these men who sacrifice so much for the rest of us.

No luck yet finding any info on the internet. His son lives near here and I might contact him to see if he has any info about his father.

Speaking of remorse, my grandfather was the same way. Just before he died over 20 years ago, he was talking with my mother and told her, "I can't get into heaven because I've killed too many Germans". He told me stories of combat when I was a boy, but never the true details. He "PG'd" it for me, but I believe when he said he had killed many Germans that it was close up, probably with this Tommy gun, etc. Now my grandfather was a man of high character. His first name was Sterling (his nickname was "Duke" which is where I got my name) and many of his old friends have told me that the name Sterling was very indicative of his charcter. I say all this because I know that killing soldiers in combat, even though he knew he had to to protect his family and country, must have taken a toll on him after he came home. My mother did try and explain to him that killing soldiers in combat in defense of our country is ok. She also did pray with him and he did accept Jesus just before he died so we do have comfort that he is indeed in heaven.