B-29 Radio Operator

Text

“We were completely in the dark. We had no idea how we progressed from step to step. The first time I saw a B-29 was in Pyote, Texas. I had no idea where B-29s were stationed, but of course, it's a bomber, and apparently, it was being used somewhere in the war. Our crew was assembled then, and I feel I was one of the lucky ones. Our captain, I mean, our pilot, also called the airplane commander, was from Fort Worth, Texas. The co-pilot was actually called the pilot as well. Then there was the flight engineer, responsible for monitoring the engines, hydraulics, and the plane's systems operating the bomb doors, landing gear, and everything else – a very important job. I'd never seen anything like this plane. It was massive, and the size of the propellers was almost unbelievable. As for the inside, it wasn't too crowded compared to other, smaller bombers I'd been in. There was plenty of room, though the crew was almost shoulder-to-shoulder, especially the navigator and I, who corresponded constantly.”