B-17 Ball Turret Gunner (Dangerous Jobs in History)

Simple History
12 Mar 202105:28
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script delves into the perilous role of the B-17 Flying Fortress's ball turret gunner during World War II. The B-17, a strategic bomber, was instrumental in crippling the German war industry, but its size and speed made it an easy target. The ball turret gunner, operating from a confined, spherical chamber, faced significant risks due to the turret's vulnerability to enemy fire and the lack of protection it offered. The gunner's job was physically demanding, requiring them to operate in a cramped space, often in freezing temperatures, and focus on shooting down enemy aircraft. The script highlights the dangerous nature of the position, with the gunner being the only crew member without a parachute on their person, adding to the high casualty rates among these individuals. The poem by Randall Jarrell, 'The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner,' poignantly captures the grim reality of their service.

Takeaways
  • ✈️ The B-17 Flying Fortress was a key aircraft during World War II, delivering over a third of all bombs dropped on German soil.
  • 🔫 The B-17 was equipped with numerous defensive machine gun emplacements, earning its name 'Flying Fortress'.
  • 🚨 Flying a B-17 was extremely dangerous due to its size, slow speed, and being a primary target for enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft defenses.
  • 🎯 The ball turret gunner position was the most endangered role within the B-17 crew due to its vulnerable and exposed location.
  • 🔩 The ball turret was a later addition to the B-17's defense system, starting from the 113th aircraft onwards.
  • 🔁 The Speary ball turret was a spherical design that allowed for 360-degree rotation and 90-degree pitch, covering the entire area below the aircraft.
  • 🔩 The turret was armed with two .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns capable of firing 700 to 850 rounds per minute.
  • 🧍 The confined space of the turret, only four feet in diameter, required a small-statured gunner who had to operate in a fetal position.
  • 🧭 The gunner had to aim through the sight between his knees, controlling the turret's movement with hands and adjusting the sight with his feet.
  • ⚠️ The ball turret gunner faced significant risks, including being trapped inside a damaged turret and having no parachute readily accessible.
  • 🕰 The process of entering and exiting the turret was complex and time-consuming, increasing the vulnerability of the gunner during combat.
Q & A

  • What was the B-17 Flying Fortress known for during World War II?

    -The B-17 Flying Fortress was known for being one of the most formidable aircraft of World War II, largely contributing to crippling the German war industry by delivering more than a third of all bombs dropped on German soil during the war.

  • Why was the B-17 called a 'flying fortress'?

    -The B-17 was called a 'flying fortress' due to its many defensive machine gun emplacements, which made it appear heavily armed and well-protected.

  • What was the primary reason for the high casualty rates among bomber crews during World War II?

    -The high casualty rates among bomber crews were primarily due to the difficulty of all 10-man crew members bailing out if the plane was hit, as they were often targeted by enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft defenses.

  • Who was the most endangered crew member on a B-17?

    -The most endangered crew member on a B-17 was the ball turret gunner due to their over-exposed position and the vulnerability of the ball turret.

  • What was the purpose of the ball turret in the B-17?

    -The ball turret was designed to provide defense coverage for the entire area below the aircraft, as it could revolve a full 360 degrees and pitch down to a 90-degree angle.

  • How was the ball turret gunner's position different from other gun emplacements?

    -The ball turret gunner's position was unique because it was a spherical chamber made of aluminum and plexiglass, electrically operated, and located in the underbelly of the aircraft, requiring a gunner of very small stature to operate in a cramped, fetal position.

  • What were the armaments of the B-17's ball turret?

    -The B-17's ball turret was armed with two .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns, which could fire 700 to 850 rounds per minute each.

  • Why was the ball turret gunner's job considered dangerous?

    -The ball turret gunner's job was considered dangerous due to the exposed nature of the position, the lack of protection from the turret's shell, the risk of being trapped inside if the mechanism was hit, and the difficulty of entering and exiting the turret.

  • Why didn't the ball turret gunner carry a parachute on their body?

    -The ball turret gunner did not carry a parachute on their body because there was no room for it inside the turret. The gunner's parachute was stored beside the entry hatch inside the fuselage.

  • What was the process for the ball turret gunner to enter and exit the turret?

    -Entering and exiting the ball turret consisted of several predefined steps that had to be carefully followed to avoid injury. The gunner had to manually turn the turret to align the hatch with the entry point inside the aircraft.

  • What was the fate of the ball turret gunner in the poem 'The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner' by Randall Jarrell?

    -In the poem, the ball turret gunner dies in combat, and his body is washed out of the turret with a hose, symbolizing the tragic and harsh reality of their role during the war.

  • Why were standard landings risky for the ball turret gunner?

    -Standard landings were risky for the ball turret gunner because if they were still inside the turret during landing, they faced the danger of being injured or killed due to the potential for a sudden stop or accident.

Outlines
00:00
🛫 The Perils of Being a B-17 Ball Turret Gunner

This paragraph delves into the hazardous role of a B-17 Flying Fortress ball turret gunner during World War II. The B-17, a strategic bomber, played a significant role in crippling the German war industry, but its large size and slow speed made it an easy target. The ball turret gunner's position was particularly dangerous due to its exposure and the confined space of the turret, which was only four feet in diameter. The gunner operated two .50 caliber machine guns in a claustrophobic environment, curled up in a fetal position, and had to aim through the sight between their knees. The turret, while well-designed for 360-degree coverage, offered no protection against enemy fire and was vulnerable to damage that could trap the gunner inside. The gunner did not carry a parachute due to the lack of space, adding to the risk. The paragraph concludes with a poignant reference to Randall Jarrell's poem, highlighting the grim reality of the gunner's fate.

05:00
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As the content for paragraph 2 is not provided, this placeholder serves as a space for future input. Once the content is available, a detailed summary capturing the essence of the paragraph can be included here.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡B-17 Flying Fortress
The B-17 Flying Fortress was a strategic bomber used during World War II, known for its significant contribution to crippling the German war industry by dropping a large portion of the bombs on German soil. It was equipped with numerous defensive machine gun emplacements, which earned it the name 'Flying Fortress.' The B-17 is central to the video's theme as it sets the context for discussing the dangerous job of a B-17 crewman.
💡Machine Gunner
A machine gunner is a crew member on a military aircraft responsible for operating the machine guns, providing defense against enemy attacks. In the context of the video, the machine gunners on the B-17 were particularly at risk due to their exposed positions, highlighting the perilous nature of their role.
💡Ball Turret Gunner
The ball turret gunner was a specific role on the B-17 Flying Fortress, manning a spherical, electrically operated chamber made of aluminum and plexiglass, which housed two .50 caliber machine guns. This position was particularly dangerous due to its vulnerability and the confined, uncomfortable space in which the gunner had to operate. The video emphasizes the high casualty rates among these gunners.
💡Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow a person's or an object's motion as it falls through the air. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that the ball turret gunner did not carry a parachute due to space constraints, which added to the risk of their job. The gunner's parachute was stored inside the fuselage, requiring the gunner to leave the turret to access it, which was time-consuming and risky.
💡Enemy Fire
Enemy fire refers to the attacks from opposing forces, including both anti-aircraft fire and attacks from enemy fighter planes. The video script mentions that the ball turret gunner was especially exposed to enemy fire, particularly from below, where the B-17 was more vulnerable, adding to the dangerous nature of the position.
💡Claustrophobic
Claustrophobic refers to a feeling of anxiety or panic associated with enclosed spaces. The term is used in the video to describe the confined space of the ball turret, which was only four feet in diameter, requiring the gunner to operate in a fetal position. This aspect of the turret contributed to the physical and psychological stress of the gunner's job.
💡Hydronic Pump
A hydraulic pump is a mechanical device that uses pressure to move fluids, often used in machinery to generate a force. In the context of the B-17, the hydraulic pump was attached to the ball turret, allowing it to retract into the aircraft. This feature was crucial for emergency landings without the use of landing gear, as described in the video.
💡Ammo Boxes
Ammo boxes are storage containers for ammunition, which are essential for weapons operation. The video mentions that the ball turret was fed by two ammo boxes placed inside the fuselage. These boxes were vital for the continuous operation of the machine guns during combat.
💡Emergency Landing
An emergency landing is an unplanned landing of an aircraft due to an emergency situation. The video discusses the risk associated with emergency landings for the ball turret gunner, as the turret could be destroyed upon impact, leaving the gunner with little to no chance of survival.
💡Casualty Rates
Casualty rates refer to the number of casualties, or losses, in a given situation. The video emphasizes the high casualty rates among bomber crews, particularly the ball turret gunners, due to the dangerous nature of their position and the risks associated with their operation within the B-17.
💡Randall Jarrell
Randall Jarrell was an American poet and literary critic. The video references a poem by Jarrell, 'The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner,' which poignantly captures the grim reality and sacrifice of the ball turret gunners. The poem is used to illustrate the emotional and human cost of the gunners' role.
Highlights

The B-17 Flying Fortress was a key aircraft in World War II, contributing to crippling the German war industry.

The B-17 delivered more than a third of all bombs dropped on German soil during the war.

The B-17 was equipped with numerous defensive machine gun emplacements, resembling a flying fortress.

Flying a B-17 was risky due to its size, slow speed, and being a primary target for enemy forces.

The B-17's ball turret gunner had one of the most dangerous jobs, with high casualty rates.

The ball turret was a spherical chamber made of aluminum and plexiglass, providing 360-degree coverage below the aircraft.

The ball turret was armed with two .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns, capable of high rates of fire.

The turret's small size required a gunner of very small stature, who had to operate in a cramped, fetal position.

Operating the turret was uncomfortable and required the gunner to aim through the sight between their knees.

The ball turret gunner faced significant physical and psychological challenges, including extreme cold and enemy fire.

The gunner's entry and exit from the turret were complex and time-consuming processes.

The gunner was exposed to enemy fire, with the turret offering no protection against machine gun ammunition or shrapnel.

In the event of a turret malfunction, the gunner could be trapped inside, leading to fatal accidents.

The ball turret gunner did not carry a parachute due to lack of space, which increased the risk in emergency situations.

The poem by Randall Jarrell, 'The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner,' poignantly portrays the dangers and sacrifices of the role.

The B-17's strategic bombing and defensive capabilities were significant in World War II, but came at a high human cost.

The ball turret gunner's role highlights the bravery and the extreme conditions under which aircrews operated during the war.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
WWII HistoryB-17 BomberBall TurretGunner's TaleMilitary StrategyAircraft DefenseWar TechnologyCrew SurvivalHistorical PoemAviation SafetyRandall Jarrell