BLOODY SKIES – A 15TH B-17 Combat Crew: How They Lived and Died

Much has been written about the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, but the contributions of each aircrew member to that effort have been largely neglected. Also, the importance of the unity of the crew has not been sufficiently emphasised. 

BLOODY SKIES is the story of a Fifteenth Air Force, Second Bomb Group (H), Twentieth Squadron, B-17 crew that often flew the notorious ‘Old Flak Holes,’ and how they learned to respect and trust each other. Training made them cohesive; crisis and tragedy bonded them. 

They arrived at Amendola, Italy on the day their entire squadron, the twenties, and some of the Second Bomb Group, had been wiped out by the Luftwaffe. That legacy was their introduction to war. 

Through McGuire and Hadley the reader will watch these enthusiastic, bright-eyed, cocky boys lose that brightness and confidence. When fatigue and weariness become so overpowering and seem to go deep into the bones, it is only their pride in themselves, their crew and their country that keeps them returning to the skies to face another day of that dreaded flax and German fighters. There appeared to be no way to survive. 

In the midst of the horrors of aerial combat, they can still find humour in living in the ’Amendola Ritz, compassion for those innocent victims of every war-the children, marvel in the early morning song of a bird, and enjoy the historical sights of Rome. 

These ten men, from the economic, cultural and geographic spectrum of 1940s America, were representative of the best their country had to offer. They vehemently deny any claim to hero status. The Soldier’s Prayer was their credo: 

Let me fight well today, O Lord, Let me do nothing to bring shame or disgrace on my family, my comrades, my unit, my country.

Let me conduct myself in such a manner that there is no dishonour. 

Let me not be wasted, but if I die, let me die like a soldier should. 

Melvin McGuire finally achieved his dream of becoming a pilot. After a career with the New Mexico State Police in the Criminal Division and on the Governor’s Staff in charge of Investigations & Security, he was Chief Pilot for the State Police and then Chief Pilot for the NM State Highway Commission, flying VIPs around the country. He also served seven years as a NM Real Estate Commissioner. 

Robert Hadley is a freelance writer and photographer. Since 1975, his work has been published in numerous local, regional, and national publications. He graduated from the University of Texas and completed his Master’s Degree at San Angelo State University.