Fuselage hits - page #2





A gaping flak wound in the radio room, Lt Edward Aubuchon brings his Fortress into Thorpe Abbotts on the afternoon of March 14, 1945.

Source: Mighty Eighth War Diary by Roger A. Freeman



Lt. Gay brought this badly battle damaged 452BG B-17G Fortress, 44-8527, back to Woodbridge emergency airfield on February 6, 1945.

Source: Mighty Eighth War Diary by Roger A. Freeman



The B-17 "All American" (414th Squadron, 97BG) flown by Lieutenant Kendrick R. Bragg, its tail section almost severed by a collision with an enemy fighter, flew 90 minutes back to its home base, landed safely and broke in two after landing.

SOURCE: Flying Forts by Martin Caiden



The same B-17 as above, now on the ground.



A third shot of the damage to the "All American".



This B-17 was hit in the bomb bay, where the wing joins the fuselage. (Details unknown.)



This B-17 took a direct flak hit in the waist over Debrecen, Hungary which killed three crewmen and wounded two others. Threatening to come apart in mid-air the pilot nursed it home to a safe landing, but the weakened fuselage collapsed on touchdown.

Text and photo source: Air Classics magazine, July 1972



This ball turret shows the effect of a 20mm shell which exploded against the faceplate. The gunner was wounded, but survived the jarring blast.

Text and photo source: Air Classics magazine, July 1972



May 1, 1943: This B-17 (#42-29649) suffered fires in the radio room and tail wheel well, as well as other damage. Ball turret gunner "Snuffy" Smith fought the fires single-handedly while jettisoning burning ammo and occasionally firing the waist guns at enemy fighters. For his efforts he received the Medal of Honor. (Fellow crew member Lt. Bob McCullum stands by the gaping hole from the fire that burned through the radio room).

SOURCE: The Mighty Eighth by Roger A. Freeman



A rocket attack blasted open the radio room of B-17 #42-31968 LN:D on the Lechfeld mission of March 18, 1944. Despite this damage the aircraft was brought back safely and landed at Raydon.

SOURCE: The Mighty Eighth by Roger A. Freeman

NEW -

A close up view of the previous photo. The B-17 has been identified as "Miss Irish".

SOURCE: contributed by a website visitor.

NEW -

Another view of "Miss Irish".

SOURCE: contributed by a website visitor.



Flak severed a propeller from General Ike's number 3 on her 65th mission with this result. No one was hurt.

SOURCE: The Mighty Eighth by Roger A. Freeman



No info is available on this photo. Notice that the ball turret is missing, however.

SOURCE: Game manual for Microprose's "B-17 Flying Fortress" game , submitted by Paul Varn

RETURN TO FUSELAGE PAGE #1

BACK TO CONTENTS PAGE