Fragments

flak \'flak\ n, pl flak [G, fr. fliegerabwehr kanonen, fr. flieger
flyer + abwehr defense + kanonen cannons] 1 : antiaircraft guns
2 : the bursting shells fired from flak

Stendal, April 10, Marshalling yard. Were to hit Neuruppin Air Field but lead Sq cut us out on bomb run. Stendal 3 priority. Very accurate tracking flak. 15 holes in ship, big one thru waist near Pancho. Guinn in tail got flak on chest and hand, spent as went thru ammunition chute. Near riot on interphone. 7 1/2 hours 1050 miles

On their second to last combat mission, it seems as though the crew of Flying Dutchmen had one of their most harrowing 'rides.' I'm sure Sgt. Byrd Guinn (left), the tail gunner wouldn't argue the point. Below is a photograph captioned by my father as "fragments that came out of Guinn's clothing." Looking at how the projectiles are damaged, these must be the 50 cal. rounds from Guinn's ammunition belt that slowed the shrapnel before it struck Guinn. In addition, I received an email from Julian Ramirez, the waist gunner, describing the mission. Sgt. Ramirez, also known as 'Pancho', had an extremely narrow escape from tragedy on this mission as well. Both men must have felt blessed that day!

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