The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 21, 1943

We had a 6:00 briefing this morning. I tho’t it would be a long mission but it was just to Castle Vetrono airdrome at Sicily. We didn’t get much flak but it was very accurate. We were about 10 min. away from the target when the fighters jumped us. They were picking on our squadron and on our 3 ships especially. I’ve never seen them come in so close & so determined to shoot us down. They would fly formation with us and then come in. I’m almost positive that I got one. He came very close. I saw my first bunch of tracers to to him right then I gave him a little more lead & saw my tracers to in him & stuff fly from his plane. He dipped his nose like he was hit then pulled up. Our waist gunner said he went down. A cannon shell exploded in our radio room, wounded our radio operator, and cut 3 control cables. We came in and landed at Bone.

I sure that I can’t stand anymore of it so I’m going to get off combat. Have 44 missions, been shot down twice, shot up a couple of times, and have had the bombs to break loose in the bomb bay. My nerves are all shot to pieces. I’m no good anymore to any crew

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 20, 1943

We had the day off today. I rested this morning & went to Constantine this afternoon. It’s a pretty nice looking town. Has lots of pretty women in it. Saw James Cagney in “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Was a good show, but not as good as it’s cracked up to be.

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 19, 1943

We went to Milo airdrome today. It was a tough one. We had lots of flak and a good many fighters. Luckily, we got through it O.K.

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 18 Tues. 1943

We were briefed for a mission to Messina today. We took off and were past Bizerte when we ran into weather. The other 3 squadrons found a hole & got through, but the hole was closed up before we got through it. We staged around a good bit, got all split up, and finally got on top of the stuff. The others were so far away till we couldn’t find them so we turned & came home. They bombed Trapanni.

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 17, 1943

Today has been as lonesome a day as I have ever spent. This morning I almost went nuts trying to find something to do with myself. This afternoon, all the officers, 30 of us piled in a B-17, and went to El Covina airdrome to see the confusion and wreckage we caused the Germans there. It was pathetic. Not a hangar had been missed. The roof was gone from all of them and there was at least 200 wrecked German planes on the field. I saw some of just about every kind, both German and Italian. One doesn’t realize the damage they cause ’till he sees the results of our bombing. That cost the Germans & Eyeties plenty. Not a plane on the filed was intact. Saw lots of these 6 engined jobs. They are tremendous things.

Every where in that whole area you can see wreckage of burned out implements of war. We saw about 20 burned out tanks on the way back. There was shell holes every place almost. The hills were covered with slit trenches and gun positions. You could tell that a terrific battle took place up around there. Along the beach, there was boats everyplace. They must have had a hard time getting any supplies in over there. Planes were everyplace. The docks at Tunis were just a mass of wreckage. I would like to spend a couple days just looking around up there. We only had about 3 hrs. I enjoyed it a lot. It was my first time to see German and Italian planes on the ground.

I got a bunch of post cards and some Italian letters. We must have hit the mail plane because there was letters scattered everywhere. I don’t know what they meant but they made good souvenirs, tho.

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 16, 1943

Today has been a beautiful Sunday. This morning I dressed out in my Sunday best and went to church. Just my luck to get there at the end of services. I rested all afternoon. Wrote some letters and went to church tonite. It was a wonderful sermon. Our Chaplain is just a good old country preacher, but he is doing a good job. He always has a good crowd at church & they really enjoy his sermons. I enjoyed it so much. I vowed to try to live a Christian life & I’m going to do so. It’s kinda hard to, but I’m sure that God will help me and I can do it.

Today certainly makes me homesick for the folks back home. Gee, how I would like to go back there and see all of them. Someday, if God is willing, I will be back with all of them. What a happy day that will be. 

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 15, 1943

Today has been a beautiful day. I’ve spent it resting and relaxing or attempting to. Played bridge this afternoon and went down to the club tonite. It’s a dull life and awfully uninteresting. Gee, how I wish it was over.

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 14, 1943

We have 4 days holiday, don’t know why. Guess we’ve earned them, but I don’t think that’s the real reason we are getting off. There is a rumor going around that we will be sent home when we get 50 missions. Gee how I hope so. I just will have to stop them. My head is giving me trouble and I’m beginning to get so nervous, I can hardly take any more of it. I only have 8 more to go. Not so many, but still and awfully lot.

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 13, 1943

We went to Cagliari today. It was a rather easy mission. Not too much flak & only saw 3 fighters. The town really got a pasting. It’s terrible to have to bomb people like that. Hope we aren’t held responsible for it for Lord knows I don’t like to do it.

I saw a P-38 go down and pilot bail out on the way to the target. I can’t imagine what was wrong with him. He bailed out about 30 min. before we got to the target. A flak shell went through one B-17. Took the co-pilot’s parachute and jackets out through the top of the plane. The parachute opened. He had a narrow escape because if the shell would have exploded, he would have been finished. That just goes to prove there is one greater than we are. I hope He sees fit for me to make it through. He’s a just God.

The words that follow are transcribed verbatim from the journal my father, Lt. Ben H. Rushing, kept during his deployment as a navigator on a B17.

May 12, 1943

Today was a holiday. Went back to the show tonite. Gee, it’s awful dull and monotonous here. That’s what gets you down. There is absolutely nothing to do when you’re not flying. I have 41 missions now. Gee, how happy I will be when I get 50. I pray that we might get a break then & I kinda think it will.

I’m so homesick. Every time I hear from my girl, it makes me more so. Gee, how I would like to see that one again. Just be near here and rest and relax. Someday, maybe I will be able to do just that. Guess I love my folks & her too much to make a good soldier. I hate to be away from then too bad. I hope that soon I will be able to see them again.