UPL 29976

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William "Kibby" Kelley's Crew 1944 - My grandfather, John W. Pugh, (back row 2nd to the left) was the ball turret gunner & waist gunner on "Kibby's" crew. Here is an excerpt from "Kibby's" diary specifically regarding my grandfather: (Kibby Kelly's Diary Entry - pilot) "Wednesday, September 27th 1944 Ludwigshafen Germany 26,000 Feet above the Faber Chemical, Tank and Machine Plant, the first plane over the  target took the brunt of all the Flak that had been prepared by the Germans.  For nine agonizing minutes the crew had pressed through the blackened sky to reach the point at which they could release their bombs. They strained to listen over the intercom as many explosions occurred all around them. They were listening for the phrase "Bombs Away", because only then could they take evasive action from all the Flak, and perhaps live for another mission.  This was only Mission Number 6, and they had 29 Missions left in their tour of duty.  On this particular day, when the "Bombs Away" signal came, the plane received a direct hit  almost simultaneously. Three inch holes blew through the fuselage at several points damaging the bombardier, ball-gunner, and waist gunner stations.  As heart rates increased, oxygen flow ceased, leaving only 2-3 minutes of normal breathing.  Carl was hit low in his left side and was bleeding and yelling in pain. The plane itself was on fire.  Different stations were communicating the status of the wounded, and which engines were on  fire. John Pugh, who was riding in the ball turret located directly underneath the plane. He advised that the number 2 engine was on fire and flames were reaching all the way back to the ball. The pilot told him to remain at his station and report on the progress of the fire.  I feathering the engines and beginning a steep dive to smother the flames. Various crew members were trying in vain to save Carl, but the wound was enormous. After a few minutes, the plane leveled off from the severe dive and the chatter on the intercom had slowed when the crew heard a strange and unfamiliar sound. It was coming from John Pugh in the ball, but what exactly he was saying was unclear.  After a few moments they understood what it was. They could hear him praying on the intercom.   With all the danger and adrenaline, nobody had recognized that the door of the ball turret had been blown off, and John Pugh had been riding through the dive clinging to nothing but the gun handles.  In -40 degree temperatures, he had managed to turn the turret around so that the wind would was pressing him into the turret. The ball turret is too small to fit a parachute, which didn't matter as much to John, because he knew in the end, it was always going to be the Lord who was going to save him.   The plane crash landed in Belgium that day. Everyone except Carl made their way back to England.  Carl died on the operating table as a result of his wounds. Several other crew members were declared mentally unfit to continue duty. John Pugh relied upon his Heavenly Father to fly another 26 missions for his country.  He received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery and courage, but to him, it was always going to be a simple matter of Faith."

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34767061
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tailgunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38532204
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball turret gunner

Revisions

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ContributorBrandonPugh
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Brandon Pugh - grandson

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ContributorBrandonPugh
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Brandon Pugh - Grandson

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ContributorBrandonPugh
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Brandon Pugh - Grandson