Ball turrets of World War II: deadly capsules under the wings of bombers (7 photos)

During World War II, aviation became the primary weapon on the battlefield. Allied bombers raided enemy cities and military installations, and their crews faced the constant threat of fighter and anti-aircraft attacks. To protect their aircraft, engineers created a unique but extremely dangerous weapon: ball turrets. These small rotating capsules armed with machine guns became a symbol of bravery, fear, and enormous sacrifice.





What is a ball turret?

A ball turret was a compact, rotating spherical mount mounted on the underside of a bomber, most often a B-17 Flying Fortress or B-24 Liberator.

It was equipped with two 0.50-caliber Browning M2 machine guns and provided protection for the aircraft's lower hemisphere—a vulnerable area from which fighters could attack virtually unopposed.

Gunner's Station



The turret could only be entered from a prone position. The gunner was positioned in a cramped, fetal position: knees tucked to his chest, hands on the machine gun handles, and his head almost touching the sight. The space was so cramped that the gunners were chosen to be short and thin.





During takeoff and landing, the turret was usually retracted to a neutral position, as the gunner was physically unable to escape on his own while the aircraft was on the ground. In the event of an accident, he had almost no chance.

The Dangers of Service



Being a ball turret gunner was considered one of the most deadly jobs in World War II aviation.

1. Confined space – the gunner was completely isolated from the rest of the crew and alone for the entire flight.

2. Vulnerability – the underside of the aircraft was most often attacked, and the turret's armor protection was minimal.

3. Temperature – at an altitude of 8,000–9,000 meters, the temperature could drop to –40°C, and gunners often suffered from frostbite.

4. Risk of death – if the turret or landing gear were damaged, the gunner would find himself in a deadly trap.

It's no coincidence that this profession gained a grim reputation, with the turrets themselves being called "glass coffins."



Heroes of the Invisible Front

Despite the risk, ball turret gunners played a huge role in protecting bombers. Their accurate marksmanship often saved dozens of lives, repelling attacks by German Messerschmitts and Focke-Wulfs.

There are many stories of gunners shooting down several aircraft in a single sortie. For such exploits, many were awarded military decorations, although their profession rarely gained widespread fame compared to pilots or bombers.

Technical Features



Ball turrets were developed by Sperry Corporation and became one of the most innovative solutions in military aviation.

- The firing arc was almost 360° horizontally and 90° vertically, making the gunner practically an "all-seeing eye" from below.

- Control was carried out using electric drives.

- Ammunition capacity: approximately 1,000 rounds for each machine gun.

The effectiveness of these installations was so high that their analogues were later used in post-war aviation.

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A Symbol of Courage and Sacrifice

In culture, ball turrets have become a symbol of both heroism and tragedy. American poet Randall Jarrell wrote a short but poignant poem, "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner," which became a metaphor for the sacrifice and horror of war. It's only five lines long, but they convey the fate of the thousands of gunners who died in these tiny capsules.



The ball turrets of World War II are a reminder that behind every technical invention lie human destinies. They saved aircraft and crews, but for those inside, they became a death trap.

Today, surviving bombers with ball turrets can be seen in museums, and every glimpse of these tiny capsules evokes admiration and awe: the fortitude of the people who were willing to occupy these places to protect their comrades.