The Armorer

Mike Bonchonsky entered the Army Air Corps in 1942, training as an armorer. After stateside training, he was assigned to the 17th Bomb Group, serving with them in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany during World War II. As an armorer in the unit, Mike's responsibilities included maintaining and repairing all manner of weapons, from small arms to aircraft machine guns and cannons, as well as their associated equipment, and was also tasked with loading bombs and other ordnance carried by the aircraft. Mike also provides details of life on an airbase, working and living in harsh conditions, with the threat of enemy attack always present. Also included is an appendix with a history of the 17th Bomb Group. In addition to photos from Mike's personal album, there are dozens of photos of the Martin B-26 Marauder and their crews, ground crews at work, aircraft on missions, bomb runs, and strike and post-strike photos. 99 photos, 1 drawing. A Merriam Press World War II Autobiography.