Us Official Photographs

B-17 over Germany

One of the giant three-bladed propellers was torn from its hub on the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "General Ike" by a near-hit flak burst on a bombing mission over Germany. The heavy blades scarred the engine cowling and ripped into the metal fuselage, narrowly missing the likeness of the Supreme Commander, before plummeting earthward. The plane was forced to leave the formation of the 91st Bomb Group and returned to its base at Bassingbourne, England, alone.