[303rd-Talk] request for information on B-17 bombing mission

[kurt timmerman]

Hello,
 
I am new to this list, having just signed up tonight. The first thing I would like to do is thank all the veterans for their service and bravery. I don't know how any of you were able to continue to fly missions after you had heard of and experienced the dangerous and deadly situations I have read about.
 
My main reason for joining this list is to hopefully get some answers to questions concerning teamwork concerning B-17 bombing missions during WW2. I am performing research for a paper I need to write in an aviation history class I am taking. I want to write about the teamwork involved in getting a B-17 from his home base to the bombing site and them back home again.
 
On the surface the teamwork would seem to be tightly contained among the crew members of the B-17 but after thinking about this a while it seems that there were many more 'team members' involved such as:
 
1. Intelligence group
2. Commanding officers group
3. Briefing group
4. Ground crew group
5. Pilots of other bombers flying in same formation
6. Fighter support 
7. In flight intelligence
8. Allies ground support group??(bomber guidance with radio signals?, light signals?)
9. Base medical group
10. Search and rescue group
11. Allies search and rescue group for downed planes?
 
These are just my thoughts on the teamwork group involved in a B-17 bombing mission. I may have much of this wrong.
 
I would like to know if there are any B-17 crew members who would be willing to respond to a list of questions I have concerning teamwork in a B-17 bombing mission.
 
I could post all my questions to this list and then anyone willing to answer them could if that would be a better way? If anyone is willing to answer some questions please let me know.
 
Thank you,
Kurt Timmerman