Lt Col. Immanuel J. Klette (15 February 1918 – 12 February 1988) was a bomber pilot and squadron commander in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
Colonel Klette flew 91 combat missions in all, the most of any bomber pilot in the U.S. Eighth Air Force.[1] His first 21, beginning in March 1943, were as a co-pilot in the 369th Bomb Squadron, 306th Bomb Group, based at RAF Thurleigh. In July 1943 he was upgraded to "first pilot" and assigned a crew, flying 7 additional missions before being seriously injured in a crash landing on September 23.
After a lengthy recuperation and a staff assignment at Headquarters, US Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF), he was selected by a former commander, Col. Henry Terry, now commanding the 91st Bomb Group, to command its 324th Bomb Squadron on July 30, 1944. The 324th BS at that time had assigned to it all the H2X radar "Mickey ships" and often led the group, wing, and division on missions where cloud cover was expected to obstruct the target.
Klette flew missions for the duration of the war in Europe, including the last bomb mission of the Eighth Air Force on April 25, 1945. Over 30 of his missions were as group, wing, division, or air force mission commander while serving with the 91st Bomb Group.
His success many have been partly due to his preparations for his bombing missions. He thoroughly studied the details of bombing missions and had learned how to operate every piece of equipment on a B-17 Flying Fortress.[citation needed]
Referencesedit
^Freeman, Roger A. (1993). Mighty Eighth War Diary. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbook International. pp. 497–500. ISBN0-87938-495-6. Retrieved 2007-01-26.
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immanuel, klette, february, 1918, february, 1988, bomber, pilot, squadron, commander, army, forces, during, world, colonel, klette, flew, combat, missions, most, bomber, pilot, eighth, force, first, beginning, march, 1943, were, pilot, 369th, bomb, squadron, 3. Lt Col Immanuel J Klette 15 February 1918 12 February 1988 was a bomber pilot and squadron commander in the U S Army Air Forces during World War II Colonel Klette flew 91 combat missions in all the most of any bomber pilot in the U S Eighth Air Force 1 His first 21 beginning in March 1943 were as a co pilot in the 369th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group based at RAF Thurleigh In July 1943 he was upgraded to first pilot and assigned a crew flying 7 additional missions before being seriously injured in a crash landing on September 23 After a lengthy recuperation and a staff assignment at Headquarters US Strategic Air Forces USSTAF he was selected by a former commander Col Henry Terry now commanding the 91st Bomb Group to command its 324th Bomb Squadron on July 30 1944 The 324th BS at that time had assigned to it all the H2X radar Mickey ships and often led the group wing and division on missions where cloud cover was expected to obstruct the target Klette flew missions for the duration of the war in Europe including the last bomb mission of the Eighth Air Force on April 25 1945 Over 30 of his missions were as group wing division or air force mission commander while serving with the 91st Bomb Group His success many have been partly due to his preparations for his bombing missions He thoroughly studied the details of bombing missions and had learned how to operate every piece of equipment on a B 17 Flying Fortress citation needed References edit Freeman Roger A 1993 Mighty Eighth War Diary St Paul Minnesota Motorbook International pp 497 500 ISBN 0 87938 495 6 Retrieved 2007 01 26 nbsp nbsp This biographical article related to World War II United States Army personnel is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Immanuel J Klette amp oldid 1170214037, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
