Elijah Wayne (Shaney) Lewis was the tail Gunner for the Lt Joe Korstjens Crew assigned to the B17G-35 BO known as "Swamp Fire" 42-32024 of the 524th BS 379th BG stationed at Kimbolton, England. During his 33 missions over Germany he was known not only for his magical skills at some how surviving multiple attacks on "Swamp Fire" from Enemy Fighters on his Tail Gunners position but he was also known as the "Rock Bombardier".

Most of the Ground Personnel worked long hard and diligently on keeping the Airmen and Aircraft fit for the fight. Despite their unselfish contributions many felt removed from the actions of war. So, many started bringing him signed rocks and stones from the fields and old bombed out buildings to toss out over Germany on their return from the bomb run.

This became the talk of the base and almost got out of hand and stopped by the Commanders because of the huge pile of future Tail Gunner ordnance that was beginning to grow around the hardstands where "Swamp Fire" was parked. The only thing that saved the day was a collection of pipes and wires still attached to some stones from a nearby bombed out building.

Everyone kept asking "What's that?" and then "Swamp Fire's" Ground Crew Chief Dominyck DeSalvo had a brain storm of an idea that soon made the next bomb run a collected effort and fast growing sport around the many shops at Kimbolton. Everyone wanted to assist in the design of the next piece of military aviation hardware.

They fashioned old wiring, switches, knobs and pipe in with old useless aircraft parts and made the first "Contraptionator". This was thrown out nearer the target area and hopefully found by a Civilian or Military personnel who would then turn it in to the Military for inspection.

These various contraptions became so sophisticated some were even given data plates and fake serial numbers. Imagine the time spent by German Military Intelligence in discovering what function this clinking, clanging, collection of amorphic equipment was and it's use.

Years later after the war Co-Pilot Byron "BB" Clark reminisced of the day he sat in the waiting room of his Doctor's office rummaging through the magazines on the table. He can't remember the magazine but it had an article about the accuracy of the American Bombing Campaign on Military targets. He read the remembrances of a German youth of that time. She said they never worried about the Americans because they mostly bombed near the German War Industries and Military bases.

She said that they were so confident of their accuracy that they used to sit on their stoop just on the edge of town and watch the action until that one day when a group of B-17's turned and headed in their direction. They stayed on the stoop until there was a loud crash coming from inside their house. After a moment to allow the dust to clear they dared to go inside to investigate.

The downstairs was intact and so the family slowly climbed the stairs for a look. They came upon the open door to the young lady's room and found a huge hole in the roof and her bed flattened. Upon further inspection they found a rock laying on the bed. They just stared dazed and confused at one another speechless for time.

Byron remembers his uncontrolled laughter putting the waiting room into a confused state as well. All he could think about was "There's one confirmed hit from Lew and the Lads".

Lt Joseph Korstjens Crew of "Sawmp Fire"

Elijah W Lewis