Us Official Photographs

The Plexi-glass nose of this Boeing B-17 Flying ofrtress was not

The Plexi-glass nose of this Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was not removed by mechanics, it was shot during a savage attack by swarms of FW 109s after a raid over Northwest Germany. This picture of "Old Bill" was taken a few minutes after the wounded pilot, 1st Lt. Wm. D. Whitson, of Denton, Texas, had landed the battle-damaged Fort at its home base. With the navigator killed, the pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, a photographer observer and four gunners wounded during the 20 minute running fight over the North Sea, "Old Bill," named after the familiar character created by "captain" Bruce Bainsfather, British cartoonist in the First World War, was brought home by the bombardier and two gunners. Over the base, Lt. Whitson, took over the controls and landed the big bomber with useless flaps and a shot-out hydraulic system at a speed in excess of 150 M.P.H.