Hi!
Some days ago a belly gunner turret was recovered from the lake Bolsena about 100km north of Rome.
The bomber, nr 41-24364, took off from the field of Amendola, near Foggia, on 15th gennuary 1944 to bomb Florence with other 37 B-17s. Was hit by the german flak above Perugia and during the flight back the crew bailed out (5 of them was captured)
The aircraft then crashed into the lake. All members of the crew survived the war.
The wreck is now at a deepth of 75 meters, only the ball turret was recovered.
The condition is amazing due the particular water of the lake!! The name of the wife's gunner is still readable on the turret (ileen lois)
This is the link with some pictures
Enjoy!!!
Viterbo: Recuperata Torretta di un bombardiere americano nel lago di Bolsena. Photogallery delle operazioni dei sommozzatori dei Vigili del Fuoco di Viterbo
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