The focus of this page is SSgt Robert Pellicot and his crew position as Tail Gunner.
His duties appear to be much more than just sitting in position at the rear of the B-29.

The first document is Special Order #288 issued at Smoky Hill Army Air Field on 14 October 1944.
This is one of many pages with the Crew Numbers and Crew Lists.
The Newell Crew is the second one.

This is followed by a page from Missing Air Crew Report 14911 that uses letters instead of position for each crew member.

A page from Case History 328 explains what these letters mean as well as a
description of each crew members position and function.

TM12- 427 contains the MOS numbers and description of what is involved with each one.

Two excerpts from this manual follow the Case History page and
provide a much clearer version of what is involved with MOS 748.

It is evident that the Tail Gunner would have moved from the
back to the front of the B-29 in order to assist the Flight Engineer.

Not listed here is his responsibilty to turn on and off
the putt-putt motor located near his Tail Gunner position .

An email from Jim Bowman, whose father was a Tail Gunner, provides addtional insights.

SO 288
SMOKY HILLS ARMY AIR FIELD
14 OCTOBER 1944

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MISSIING AIR CREW REPORT 14911
PAGE 1

 

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CASE HISTORY 328
NEWELL CREW AND POSITIONS
WITH KEY EXPLAINING ABBREVIATIONS

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MOS 748 PART 1

source: Technical Manual
TM12-427
page 151

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MOS 748 PART 2

source: Technical Manual
TM12-427
page 152

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EMAIL FROM JIM BOWMAN WITH EXPLANATION
OF
TAIL GUNNER'S DUTIES

source: Jim Bowman
30 June 2021

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