The document discusses the 'Tailgunner' book series by Vic Merkel, honoring WWII heroes and his brother who served as a B-17 gunner. It emphasizes the impact of war on young soldiers and their post-war struggles, blending real and fictional narratives. The authors aim to bring awareness to veterans' experiences and support organizations dedicated to veteran care.

1. “Movie” Memphis Belle, Deer Valley Airport, 2014
Left - Vic Merkel (author, pilot)
Right - Keith Youngblood (Liberty Foundation)

2. “Real” Memphis Belle
Wright-Patterson / AF Museum, Dayton, OH

3. Never Forget - Honoring (World War II) Heroes
Airmen and their B-17s
 73 years ago Adolph Hitler threatened the world.
 Young airmen stepped forward to protect their
country.
 In return for freedom, they all paid a terrible
price.
 Our novels, “TailGunner: War Defines Us” and
“TailGunnerR3” are blended, real and fictional
remembrances, set in WWII and its aftermath,
the viewpoints are American and Hungarian.

4. Why Write The “TailGunner” Series”?
 My brother, Walter “Buck” Merkel, Jr., joined the Mighty
8th (USAAF) United States, Army Air Force in 1942.
 At 18, he served as a B-17 gunner on bomber (Amazin
Maizie).
 (“TailGunner: War Defines Us”) - is a tribute to his
military service. 25+ missions, 260+ combat flight hours.
 (“TailGunnerR3”) – inspired by Buck’s post-war struggle
with battle fatigue (now - PTSD), also in Europe, it
follows the life of a young Hungarian soldier (inspired by
Bob Frommer) caught up in the Nazi invasion of Russia.

5. TailGunner: War Defines Us
1939 - 1945
Authors – Victor Merkel & Ann Frommer Cover – Miles Abernethy

6. TailGunnerR3: Revenge, Redemption, Resolution
1942 - 1958
Authors – Victor Merkel & Ann Frommer Cover – Miles Abernethy

7. Tail Gunner Position
Two Browning Machine Guns

8. Amazin Maizie, B-17 crew - Buck, front, far right
2nd crew shot down 8/7/44, 1 MIA, 9 POW

9. Ten Man Crew for the B-17
1. Bombardier
2. Navigator
3. Pilot
4. Co-Pilot
5. Top Turret
Gunner/Engineer
6. Radio Operator/Gunner
7. Ball Turret Gunner
8. Right Waist Gunner
9. Left Waist Gunner
10. Tail Gunner

10.  The tail gunner sat in the radio room for take-off and once airborne,
assumed combat position.
 To get there, he dragged his parachute behind, crawling around the
tail wheel, on the way.
 He perched on a low seat in a kneeling position. I call it - Harley
Davidson position.
 First objective of the Luftwaffe pilot was to eliminate the tail gunner.
Combat Position Of The B-17 Tail Gunner

11. Bringing the past to vivid life
We are disciples of Herman Wouk’s, “War
and Remembrance”, and his philosophy.
In “TailGunner”, using Wouk’s guidance,
you will witness “everyday people” caught
up in the war’s fury.
Our active research (in person & media) of
locations on two continents and historical
facts have been reviewed by experts.

12. TailGunner: War Defines Us
Major Characters
 Buck Remke – tail gunner stationed in England, young
but hardened by war.
• He grew up in a rural community and graduated from a
public high school.
 Ilona Kovacs – London cabaret singer, 2 years older
than Buck and more sophisticated.
• Born to an upper middle class family, she attended
upscale private schools

13. TailGunnerR3
Major Characters
 Istvan Kovacs – Ilona’s brother, naïve college student,
joins Hungarian Army. Emerges as a battle weary, angry
man.
 Buck Remke – returning American veteran, still fighting
the war – inside his mind. His family struggles to save
him from spiraling downward into a black abyss.
 Pip Remke – Buck’s son, orphan child in England,
casualty of the war. Pip yearns for the father he never
knew.

14. Veterans
• We Endorse:
 Honor Flight
• Transporting WWII vets to Washington DC
 IAVA – Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America
• **Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255
 Wounded Warrior Project
• **Hold fundraisers for veteran care

15. “Official Supplier” to Liberty Foundation
Preserve B-17s For Future Generations
“TailGunner: War Defines Us”
http://www.amazon.com/Tailgunner-War-
Defines-Us-If-Let/dp/1481115669
“TailGunnerR3”
http://www.amazon.com/TailGunnerR3-
Revenge-Redemption-Resolution-
2/dp/1503069885