Podcast
Questions and Answers
What beverage does Bob Lally drink when he first joins Hank and Tim at the table?
What beverage does Bob Lally drink when he first joins Hank and Tim at the table?
- Water
- Beer
- Milk
- Ale (correct)
Why was Bob Lally not invited on trips to the officers' club initially?
Why was Bob Lally not invited on trips to the officers' club initially?
- He didn't have a trench coat.
- He was often busy with missions.
- He didn't like socializing with others.
- He preferred staying sober. (correct)
What was the crew's response to the news of being taken off combat status?
What was the crew's response to the news of being taken off combat status?
- They were confused.
- They were relieved.
- They celebrated.
- They reacted angrily. (correct)
What reason did Colonel Allen give for the crew not being promoted to lead crew?
What reason did Colonel Allen give for the crew not being promoted to lead crew?
How many missions were remaining for the crew at the time of Bob's announcement?
How many missions were remaining for the crew at the time of Bob's announcement?
What was the crew's main objective during their practice missions?
What was the crew's main objective during their practice missions?
Which town was designated as the 'initial point' for the practice bombing runs?
Which town was designated as the 'initial point' for the practice bombing runs?
What evidence indicates that the practice missions were significant according to Major Harlan Thomas?
What evidence indicates that the practice missions were significant according to Major Harlan Thomas?
What unexpected event occurred while the crew was preparing for their mission?
What unexpected event occurred while the crew was preparing for their mission?
What was the unexpected recommendation made by Colonel Allen regarding the mission?
What was the unexpected recommendation made by Colonel Allen regarding the mission?
What is the primary reason for targeting the power plant in Switzerland?
What is the primary reason for targeting the power plant in Switzerland?
Why must the bombing of the Swiss power plant appear to be accidental?
Why must the bombing of the Swiss power plant appear to be accidental?
What tactic will the crew use to drop out of formation for the bombing run?
What tactic will the crew use to drop out of formation for the bombing run?
What is expected to happen to the crew after they complete their mission?
What is expected to happen to the crew after they complete their mission?
What percentage of heavy munitions is produced by the factories that the power plant supplies?
What percentage of heavy munitions is produced by the factories that the power plant supplies?
Flashcards
Bob Lally's first drink
Bob Lally's first drink
Bob Lally drinks ale when joining Hank and Tim at the table.
Bob Lally's initial exclusion reason
Bob Lally's initial exclusion reason
Bob Lally wasn't invited to the officers' club because he preferred staying sober.
Crew reaction to combat status change
Crew reaction to combat status change
The crew reacted angrily when they were taken off combat status.
Promotion denial reason
Promotion denial reason
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Remaining missions
Remaining missions
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Practice mission objective
Practice mission objective
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Practice bombing initial point
Practice bombing initial point
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Significance of practice mission
Significance of practice mission
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Unexpected mission delay
Unexpected mission delay
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Confidential mission recommendation
Confidential mission recommendation
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Swiss power plant target
Swiss power plant target
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Accidentality requirement
Accidentality requirement
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Crew's escape tactic
Crew's escape tactic
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Crew's expected fate
Crew's expected fate
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Munitions percentage
Munitions percentage
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Study Notes
###Â The Target
- The crew has been taken off combat status and selected for a special mission.
- The mission is to destroy a power plant in Switzerland that provides electricity for German munitions factories, which are located just over the border.
- The bombing must appear to be an accident because the power plant is located in Switzerland, a neutral country.
- The crew will be separated from the Army Air Force with their country's eternal gratitude and their names will be withheld from the press.
The Mission
- The crew will take off with the rest of the group as usual, but will drop out of formation and descend to 10,000 feet before bombing the plant.
- They will then fly back across southern France alone and land at a nearby base, Tibenham.
- Their belongings will be collected and they will be flown back to the States.
- The crew will be listed as "missing in action" until they return.
The Motivation
- Intelligence estimates that the factories being powered by the target plant are producing about 20% of Germany's heavy artillery.
- Destroying the power plant will shorten the war and save Allied lives.
The Crew
- Bob Lally is the pilot and experienced.
- Hank Mucci is concerned about the mission and asks how many lives they can save.
- Tim is suspicious of the mission and thinks it's unnecessary to use Luke as the bombardier.
- Luke is the bombardier and not very experienced in combat, but he is considered special by Colonel Allen, who has been assured by a "mutual friend" in London that Luke will not fail.
The Mission Briefing
- They will be briefed along with the other crews in the morning but must leave all their belongings at the hut.
- They will not land at their usual base after the mission; their crew will be listed as "missing in action" until they are flown to the States.
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