Army Air Corps pilot B-17 Flying Fortress shot up during WWII shares his story of two of his B-17 Flying Fortress engines being shot out over a bombing run in Frankfurt Germany. According to Keith, the flak was so bad it looked like a blanket. As he descended he was grateful that no German fighters were up to finish him and his crew off. Amazing story that he realized afterward he was hit severely by flak and one of his crew lost a foot. Incredible story of selfless service.

Part 1: Keith discusses what it was like to fly the B-17

Part 2: Keith recounts a mission over Germany

 

Army Air Corps pilot B-17 Flying Fortress shot up during WWII – What if May Have Been Like?

For an Army Air Corps pilot flying a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II, the experience of being shot up by enemy fighters or anti-aircraft fire was a combination of fear, determination, and reliance on both the aircraft and the crew. The B-17 was a large, heavy bomber designed to take damage and still continue flying, but that didn’t make the ordeal any less harrowing. Flying high-altitude bombing runs over Europe, pilots and their crews faced relentless attacks from German fighter planes and flak bursts from anti-aircraft guns that would tear into the aircraft.

When the B-17 was hit, the pilot had to maintain composure, despite the chaos unfolding around him. The sudden jolt of the plane being struck by enemy fire could send shrapnel through the fuselage, damaging engines, tearing apart control surfaces, or even wounding crew members. The cockpit would often fill with the sounds of alarms, metal screeching, and, at times, the agonizing cries of injured crew. The pilot’s immediate task was to assess the damage, continue flying the mission if possible, and try to bring the bomber back to base, all while navigating through hostile skies.

The B-17’s reputation as a “Flying Fortress” was well-earned—it was known for its ability to absorb an incredible amount of punishment and still limp back to base. However, with engines knocked out or the control system damaged, keeping the plane in the air could be a constant battle. The pilot had to rely heavily on their copilot and flight engineer to monitor fuel levels, engine performance, and control the damaged systems. Meanwhile, gunners on the B-17 were tasked with fending off enemy fighters that swarmed around the crippled bomber, and the bombardier was often called upon to help the pilot navigate or assist in emergency measures.

Bringing a shot-up B-17 home was a test of endurance. Some pilots would lose the hydraulic systems, making it impossible to lower the landing gear or use the flaps, forcing them to make dangerous belly landings. Others had to navigate long distances back to friendly lines on limited fuel, unsure if their engines would give out. Landing the damaged aircraft safely was an immense relief, but often the sight of bullet-riddled wings, shredded fuselage, and wounded crew served as a stark reminder of how close they had come to disaster. For pilots of the B-17, every mission carried the risk of not returning, and surviving a shot-up flight became part of the bomber crew’s shared legacy of bravery and resilience during WWII.

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