Renowned for decades as the worldÕs foremost railroad artist, Howard FoggÕs career spanned half a century and some twelve hundred paintings. However, while his art has been welcomed for decades, few of his enthusiasts have been aware of his prior career, as a fighter pilot in the U.S. 8th Air Force during World War II. Fortunately Fogg left behind a detailed diary of his experiences, which illuminate this brief but exciting aspect of his life, as he engaged in direct combat with the Luftwaffe at the controls of a P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustangs. Articulate and insightful, his diary offers a frank and fascinating glimpse into the life of a fighter pilot, both in the sky and in wartime England. Written during 1943 and 1944 it offers a confidential perspective of life as a Òflyboy,Ó during which Howard flew 76 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal with three clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster. Presented in its entirety, with supplementary material by Richard and Janet Fogg, and supporting illustrations from Fogg himself, including satirical cartoons, military and railroad artwork, Fogg in the Cockpit paints with a broad brush, from the smallest details of a pilotÕs day-to-day existence. to air combat, and the strategic and political decisions that influenced the course of the war. http://www.longmontweekly.com/longmont-arts-entertainment/ci_17803807 fogginthecockpit.blogspot.com
In December 1943 the newly formed 359th Fighter Group flew its first mission in the European Theater of Operations. Twenty-two months later World War II ended, and in November 1945 the 359th was inactivated, with 346 combat missions and 13,455 sorties to its credit. This collection of bar stories, mission reports, POW internments, and post-war reflections provides a first-hand account of life on base, in the air, and going on leave in war-time England, as recounted by the 359th's pilots, officers, and enlisted men."Had bad day strafing a train near Karlsruhe. Bounced off the smokestack and tore large hole in right wing and lost airspeed indicator. Had to land at St. Trond when engine caught fire. Necessary to dodge steamroller and bomb crater when attempting landing on runway. Then things got worse." Capt. Rene L. Burtner Jr."The B-17 could not maintain altitude. With no instruments they had no way of keeping the machine upright descending through the clouds so there was nothing left but for them to fly my wing. I tried to concentrate on flying as smoothly as I ever had in my life; I could imagine how difficult it must have been for that 17 pilot to keep his machine within three feet of me with two engines out on one side plus the turbulence we were encountering. I had all I could do to keep from looking at that wing flopping up and down in between my wing and tail." Lt. Eugene F. Britton"Installation of water injection systems in the Group's aircraft, assuring 15 minutes of extra power for combat, was completed under direction of Lieutenant George M. Hesser, station engineering officer.... Higher HQ notified Hesser that complete drainage of water from all aircraft would be necessary nightly to avoid freeze-ups. His answer, characteristically, was to suggest that the Station at once be supplied with "the necessary equipment to turn the airplanes upside down in order to get all the water out of the lines." The result was that alcohol was made available for use in all aircraft." Capt. Maurice F. X. Donohue
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