Unfortunately I don't know the story, just happened across this picture.

He's probably going in ,won't need them !
If the photo was atken by a ship he's going in for sure.

Oh the stories our fathers could tell, if they would, or if they were alive to do so.

And so many young folks today have NO idea of the sacrifices of their fathers and grandfathers and many know so little or none at all of WWII.


Looks like some fuselage is missing behind the gunner also

There are many photos of damaged aircraft that are not in general circulation.
One was a P-51 ace looking at the wing of his plane inboard of the aileron - there was an 8 inch hole blown in the back of the wing. He reaches in and pulls out the butt end of an exploded 20mm cannon projectile.

Yeah, ailerons don't make it float any better.

I believe the plane above it was struck by AA fire, and collided with this one on the way down. The spinning prop took off the wing tip and its wing "crunched" the rear fuselage.