Us Official Photographs

Flying Fortress over Reims Champagne Airfield

A crippled Flying Fortress silhouetted over the target at the Reims Champagne Airfield, France which the 8th AF "heavies" smashed yesterday 28 March 44. The Fortress, piloted by 1st Lt. Daniel C. Henry, of 191-35 116th Ave., St. Albans, Long Island, New York, was hit by flak which exploded in the waist, killing three gunners and virtually severing the tail from the nose of the aircraft. With a "cover" of eight P-38's, Lt. Henry miraculously flew the ship back to England, bailed five members of his crew out over his home base, and then took the bomber back to the coast, where he and the co-pilot parachuted to safety while the ship crashed harmlessly into the sea. The picture above was caught by S/Sgt. Peter Bortniak, Jersey City, New Jersey, radio gunner of another Fortress. Close examination will show the manner in which the explosion twisted the fuselage of the B-17. The strike photos show excellent bombing results, with hits squarely on the aiming point.