39th Bomb Group Crew 30 (B-29 #42-65364)

1st Row: Corp James Wyckoff - Right Gunner, S/Sgt James E. Schwoegler - Radio Operator, T/Sgt Edward Kanick - Flight Engineer, Corp Robert Weiler - Left Gunner, Corp Pasquale Mastromatteo - Tail Gunner, Sgt Ralph Gervais - CFC Specialist

2nd Row: F/O James Frodsham - Pilot, 2nd Lt John Blake - Bombardier, 1st Lt William Orr - Airplane Commander, 2nd Lt Wiliam Costa - Navigator, 2nd Lt Arthur Swanberg - Radar Specialist

And so It came to pass as the fourth hour before the dawn approacheth that a messenger goeth forth into the huts of the birdmen, and he spaketh unto each, saying verily, "Arise and don thy garments and go to the gathering place for the master hath decreed that It shall be thus."

The birdmen, awakening, mutter Into their boards and revile the messenger, saying that his mother hath not morals and that his father knoweth him not. And they arise and seek out their socks and go forth to break bread and the fruit of the fowl that is powdered and an abomination unto them that is known as Spam.

Then they are gathered into the sanctum known as the briefing room, and their voices are hushed for they are In the presence of the master. And so it cometh to pass that the disciples arise and speak unto them, telling them of such things as routes and timings, of altitudes, of the slings and arrows of adversity known as flak, of evil birdmen from another land who would do harm unto them, of the need to divest themselves of all worldly goods that are within their rainments, and of other things - for this is their manner of speaking.

And, at last, the master ariseth and sayeth unto them, "Behold, thou are indeed fortunate this day for the weather is sorry but does naught to oppose thee. Go ye forth, therefore, and gird thyselves for flight Be reverently attentive to those who are known as "little friends", be always mindful of that known as the "IP" and let him who would abort beware, for my wrath for him will be most great" - for this Is the master's manner of speaking.

Then the birdmen gird their loins for battle, and some go to the small house, and some are beset by trembling and redness of the eye. And they seek out their friends and speak unto them, saying, "Yea many times thou hath been a -brother unto me and I unto thee. Wilst thou not, therefore, take my place in flight this day for I am indeed overtaken by illness-"

And their friends answereth, saying, "Thou soundest faint and I cannot hear thee. Go, thou, and disturbeth not my meditations." And they go.

Then the birdmen go to their great iron birds and prepare their rituals, and there ariseth a great clamor as they make ready to go forth. And then the great birds are arisen, all save one who aborteth. The master curseth this one, and sayeth, "Thou shall surely know the full measure of my wrath."

Thus endeth the first lesson.

This was sent to us from Don Wilson an AFGA member residing in Mississippi. I enjoyed the scripture lesson. Don & I think other gunners will too.

This is a picture of Bob & Loiuse Weiler, members of the Historic Aircraft Society with General Paul Tibbetts. He was visiting in Kissimmee, Florida in April 2000. My parents and other members of the group drove up from Sarasota to visit with him for the day.

You can reach Bob Weiler here!

Turn the page to read Beating a Stacked Deck - " With a jagged slash halfway through the fuselage, Lt. Bill Orr's B-29 was in imminent danger of breaking up in midair."