ABSTRACT
According to the Duties and Responsibilities of the Bombardier section of the B-17 Pilot Training Manual-1943: “When the bombardier takes over the airplane for the run on the target, he is in absolute command. He will tell you what he wants done, and until he tells you ‘Bombs away,’ his word is law.”1 e Manual goes on to say that in order for the bombardier to do his job correctly, the pilot needs to ensure that he gets the aircra in the general area, or otherwise, the mission will fail. at is the type of teamwork that is needed in order to successfully deliver the bombs to the intended target. e pilot ies the plane to and from the target, but for a few minutes while the bombardier makes slight adjustments using his Norden Bombsight, the plane is actually being controlled by the bombardier. e pilot regains control as soon as the bombs are released from the bomb bay, and the “bombs away” signal is given. ey can now return back to their base in England.
