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| America's Century |
| by Robert Bailey © |
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| Robert
Bailey's print,
"America's Century" is available for
sale on a first come, first serve basis.
All proceeds will go to the 100th Bomb
Group Foundation. These prints include
five 100th BG signatures, and they are
selling fast. The cost is $200 plus $25
for postage and handling. Please contact
Jan Riddling to order your copy. |
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The Story
High over the European continent lies a battlefield of
immense size that has no markers, no monuments and no
evidence that any struggle between men and nations ever
took place just sixty short years ago. It has no borders
or road signs to enlighten anyone where these battles
raged, battles involving young men from opposing forces
that exacted a toll of a quarter of a million casualties
and changed the course of humanity forever.
Among the young American men who rose to the challenge,
no finer examples can be found than those in the 100th
Bomb Group, or as they came to be known, 'The Bloody
Hundredth.' Facing overwhelming odds, particularly in
1942-1943, when aircrews could not expect to survive
more than 10 missions, the Hundredth faced the worst
that the Germans could throw at them. Raging flak and
Luftwaffe tactics aside, they faced the fear of the
unknown, often unescorted by fighters.
Despite all of this, the result was a victory that
reverberates around the world to this day. As memories
fade and the ranks grow fewer and fewer, their legacy
lives on, and stands as a marker for future generations.
Depicted in Robert Bailey's AMERICA'S CENTURY is a
mission flown by the 100th Bomb Group on September 11,
1944, to Ruhland, Germany. Elements of the aircraft
emerge from the bomb run, having delivered their
payloads over the target. |
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Official Group History
"At 26,000 feet the C Squadron was attacked by
approximately 40 enemy aircraft, FW190's and Me109's.
The e/a came in a 'swarm' from 6 o'clock, opening fire
with 20mm from 400 yards. After this one mass attack, a
few single e/a broke away from the 'swarm' and made a
360 degree turn and again attacked crippled aircraft in
the 100th C Squadron. In a few moments, all but one of
our aircraft disappeared beneath the under-cast, about
half of them appearing to be under control."
This attack destroyed the Low Squadron of B17's, and
then German fighters returned to attack from the front
and rear. Many of these fighters were shot down, but the
100th lost twelve crews this day. It is this second wave
attack by the Luftwaffe which is depicted here. Valiant
'Mason and Dixon,' shown in AMERICA'S CENTURY was in the
B (High) Group, low element, and is seen fending off an
attack by a FW190. She claimed four German fighters
during her many missions over Europe. |
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