Pilot of B-17 'Marlo Thomas' conversation with new gunners before being intercepted by the Luftwaffe. "You guys keep alert now, these Nazi flyers are no slouches. Last flight we had 2 Forts go down out of our wing. Command says they are going to change their tactics and come straight at us so you must be ready to fire when they go by and for Gods Sake try not to shoot any of our own boys if possible. I would hate to think we kill our own but with all that is going to be happening in the conflict it will happen, believe me. We got shot up pretty bad last time by one of our Forts and a P-47 barely missed flying through our wing when it was after some of the Enemy. I am counting on everyone to stay as Cool as possible and this means you Young Guys too. This is a Hell of a job you have been assigned and those on the ground will never understand for how could they? It is one thing to fight down there but then they don't have thousands of feet of air under them to add to the Chaos. You have been trained well but a Man never knows how he will react in these situations. Good Luck. Command believes in you and I believe in You. As your life is in my Hands flying this Bird I know My life is in your hands on those triggers and in the hands of the Enemy who wants to End It. If you don't mind make sure He doesn't, My wife and kids would appreciate it." 
