Report Claims Tuskegee Airman Lost 25 Bombers to Enemy Fire

Report Claims Tuskegee Airman Lost 25 Bombers to Enemy Fire

news.yahoo.com

At least 25 bombers being escorted by the Tuskegee Airmen over Europe during World War II were shot down by enemy aircraft, according to a new Air Force report.

The report contradicts the legend that the famed black aviators never lost a plane to fire from enemy aircraft. But historian William Holton said the discovery of lost bombers doesn't tarnish the unit's record.

"It's impossible not to lose bombers," said Holton, national historian for Tuskegee Airmen Inc.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Is it just me or does this appear odd that this new revelation would come out only a few days after they were Awarded the Gold Medal by Congress? They have had this information for over 60 years why is it just coming out now?

Coincidence perhaps but I think it might have been done intentionally to blemish their fine record.

news.yahoo.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

I agree. I also feel that because they did loose men that its even worse that they were not recognized earlier

I don't think it blemishes their record, regardless of how many bombers they lost, their service and perseverance to a country who treated them as less than first class citizens, is more than enough to attest to the Tuskeegee Airmen's accomplishment, not to mention all Black Americans who proudly served the country during WWII.

Originally posted by JacKatMtn
I don't think it blemishes their record,

Neither do I.

I just found it very odd that the claim would be made 62 years after the fact and at the very time they were awarded the gold medal. To me that fact alone looks like that someone somewhere is trying to blemish the record.

The ariticle also states that some aircraft were shot down that day in the other group but they left out by what.



See what I mean no mention of what shot the planes down all it says is they were shot down.

Just look today at the Tillman fiasco, the military often twists stories to make them appear something they are not.

Pump up the country and strike fear in the enemy, propaganda if you will.

Eventually the true story surfaces, though in this case I agree that it is odd to bring it up 60 years later.

Actually, the timing isn't really that suspicious. The initial claim of planes being lost under their escort was made about a month or so ago, when someone claimed it was one. The USAF dug into the files and came up with the 25 figure. Does it change anything? Of course not, because other units had a MUCH higher loss ratio than they did. Does it tarnish their Gold Medal? Not in the least.