Tag Archives: WWII

B-17 Flying Fortress of WWII

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A Brief History Lesson About the B-17 of WWII

Today is D-Day, also known as the Normandy Invasion and Operation Overlord during World War II. It is the day the Allied invasion of western Europe was launched with the simultaneous landing of U.S., British, and Canadian forces on five separate beachheads in Normandy, France.

By the end of August 1944, all of northern France was liberated, and the invading forces reorganized for the drive into Germany. There they would eventually meet with Soviet forces advancing from the east to bring an end to the Nazi Reich.

Flying in The B-17

One of the aircraft instrumental at the time was the B-17. Several years ago, Pilot and I had the waaay cool experience of flying in a B-17 Flying Fortress. With consideration currently being given to grounding all remaining B-17s, I’m grateful we had the opportunity for such an adventure.

Being in that bomber gave me a greater appreciation for what the men who flew those birds dealt with. Even if in the smallest way. I truly cannot imagine what it was like to be in that plane during wartime. I especially cannot imagine what it was like to fight from the ball turret.

While it was totally impressive to sit in the bombardier seat at the nose of the plane and watch the ground sail past beneath me, I was not facing enemy fire at the time. And I certainly would not want to be.

The B-17

The B-17 Flying Fortress was an Army Air Corps heavy-duty bomber from World War II. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns, and five thousand pounds of bombs, these four-engine aircraft flew strategic bombing missions over Europe.

13,000 B-17s were produced over the course of the war. As of November 2022, only nine airworthy B-17s remain today.

The first B-17s saw combat in 1941, when the British Royal Air Force took delivery of several B-17s for high-altitude missions. As World War II intensified, the bombers needed additional armament and armor.

In the Pacific, the planes earned a deadly reputation with the Japanese, who dubbed them “four-engine fighters”. The Fortresses were also legendary for their ability to stay in the air after taking heavy artillery attacks.

These planes sometimes limped back to their bases with large chunks of the fuselage shot off. If you have watched movies such as Memphis Belle, you get the idea.

Is There a Spiritual Application?

So, I’m thinking…beside a wonderful history lesson, is there any spiritual application to all this? I believe there is.

Just as the B-17 Flying Fortress was heavily armed, fought many a battle, was often beat up by the enemy, and limped back to base, life can be the same with us.

We go out to battle the Enemy, only to face flak and ack-ack from all sides. Exhausted, we limp back home. Through God’s grace, we live to fight another day until the Great War is over.

The only way we are able to win the battle is if God goes before us. He is our Strength. He is our Shield. He is our Rock of Salvation. God alone, is our Mighty Fortress.

Your Turn

How do you arm yourself for battle against our enemy, the Great Deceiver?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

I wish you well.

Sandy

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With Love, Wherever You Are – Book Review

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

With Love, Wherever You Are, written by Dandi Daley Mackall, tells the love story of her parents during World War II as each of them served in different areas of Europe. Helen as an Army nurse. Frank as an Army doctor.

Faced with deployment overseas, they decide to marry after a VERY brief time together against their parents’ protests. Their main link during their separation was the letters they daily wrote each other. With the inconsistency of mail delivery, misunderstandings, hurt, and doubt arose in both Helen and Frank that threatened their marriage .

What I appreciated most about With Love, Wherever You Are was the honest way Dandi portrayed her parents and the war. The details included in this story provide a richer understanding of the emotions, fears, doubts, and questions those fighting during World War II struggled with.

If you have an interest in seeing what life was like for those in the Army who had the job of treating the war wounded on foreign soil, then With Love, Wherever You Are may just be the book for you.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Tyndale provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

One of my posts is scheduled to appear on Inspire a Fire March 7, 2017. Please stop by.

Anchor in the Storm – Book Review

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

In Sarah Sundin’s historical romance set during World War II, Anchor in the Storm, pharmacist Lillian Avery grows suspicious over the numerous prescriptions for large quantities of the barbiturate, Phenobarbital, that come across her drug store counter. Her suspicions lead to a large drug ring and dangers she could never imagine.

While Lillian works on shore to solve the mystery, her brother’s best friend, Ensign Arch Vandenberg, works on two goals he has in mind as his ship patrols the Atlantic waters hunting for German U-boats that are sinking merchant ships along the East Coast. Win Lillian’s affections, and solve the problem on board ship of sailors reporting to duty too drowsy to function, putting their lives and the lives of those around them in danger.

Will he succeed at accomplishing either goal?

Is there a connection between Lillian’s suspicions and the sailors’ behavior?

When danger looms for both of them, will working together to solve the mystery draw Lillian and Arch closer, or will it push them further apart?

Fears, romance, misunderstandings, danger, accusations, accidents … you’ll find these and more in the pages of Anchor in the Storm. A book full of historical details that bring this time period in our nation’s history to life.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Revell Books provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

B-17 Flying Fortress

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Recently, Pilot and I had the waaay cool experience of flying in a B-17 Flying Fortress.

The B-17 Flying Fortress was an Army Air Corps heavy-duty bomber from World War II. These four-engine aircraft flew strategic bombing missions over Europe, armed with .50 caliber machine guns and five thousand pounds of bombs. 13,000 B-17s were produced over the course of the war. Only 13 airworthy B-17s remain today.

The first B-17s saw combat in 1941, when the British Royal Air Force took delivery of several B-17s for high-altitude missions. As World War II intensified, the bombers needed additional armament and armor.

In the Pacific, the planes earned a deadly reputation with the Japanese, who dubbed them “four-engine fighters”. The Fortresses were also legendary for their ability to stay in the air after taking heavy artillery attacks. These planes sometimes limped back to their bases with large chunks of the fuselage shot off.

If you have watched movies such as Memphis Belle, you get the idea. Being in that bomber gave me a greater appreciation for what the men who flew those birds dealt with, in a very small way. I truly cannot imagine what it would have been like to be in that plane during wartime. I especially cannot imagine what it would have been like to have fought from the ball turret. While it was totally impressive to sit in the bombardier seat at the nose of the plane, and watch the ground sail passed, I was not facing enemy fire.

My hat is off to all the brave men who flew their missions, and the support crews who kept them flying.

Thank you.

So, I’m thinking…is there any spiritual application to all this? Yep.

Just as the Flying Fortress was heavily armed, fought many a battle, was often beat up by the enemy, and limped back to base, life can be the same with us. We go out to battle the Enemy, only to face flak and ack-ack from all sides. Exhausted, we limp back home. We live to fight another day, until the Great War is over.

The only way we are able to win the battle is if God goes before us. He is our Strength. He is our Shield. He is our Rock of Salvation. God alone, is our Mighty Fortress.

I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

I wish you well.

Sandy

PS

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Tuskegee Red Tails

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Last month, Pilot and I had the opportunity to attend an event featuring former Tuskegee Airman, 90-year-old, Dr. Luzine Bickham. Dr. Bickham shared some of his experiences training for, and flying with, the Red Tails during World War II.

The brave pilots and support personnel of the Tuskegee Airmen not only faced the hard rigors of their Army Air Corps training, they did it under the unbearable circumstances of segregation and prejudice against African Americans. They persevered, though the odds were stacked mightily against them. They excelled as one of the most decorated and respected fighter escorts of US bombers that targeted enemy installations in Europe. The Red Tails risked their lives to defeat the enemy, Hitler, so people could be free.

During the question and answer section of the program, an African-American who is currently serving our country in the US Air Force thanked Dr. Bickham and all the others who went before, for opening the door that allows him to serve his country today.

An acquaintance of mine was once complimented on being one of the first high ranking, female Army Chaplains. Her response? The glass shards hurt when you are breaking that ceiling.

I’m sure the Red Tails would agree.

 

So, I’m thinking … Jesus faced unbearable circumstances when he walked as a human here on this earth. He was despised. Forsaken. Rejected. Falsely accused. Betrayed. Abandoned. Tortured. Murdered.

All to make a way for us to be free from our enemy, Satan.

The Red Tails did not back down. They stood their ground. They knew what they fought for was worth it.

So did Jesus.

The Tuskegee Airmen opened the door that proved they were more than competent, capable, and committed to serving their country as military pilots in a time of war.

Jesus opened the door for each of us to reach the Father in Heaven. Jesus was the curtain that was torn in two which allows us to approach God’s throne. It is through Christ Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross of Calvary we have the opportunity to serve our LORD.

Just as the men of the 99th and 332nd were faithful to the tasks before them and set an example for others to follow, Jesus set an example for us to follow as well.

All of us can be trailblazers. We can show the way to Heaven through Jesus. As Steve Green sings, may all who come behind us find us faithful to the tasks that have been set before us.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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