1943 -- B17 almost cut in half and made in home

[Updated: Scroll to the bottom for story corrections.]

A good World War II story never gets old.

This one came in the form of an email the other day -- Thanks SM! -- and it's about a bombing mission in a B17 called "All American" that barely made it back to base. The guys who rode this damaged vessel were real survivors and heroes.

According to the story, which you can read at CMP Forum, a B-17 Flying Fortress had a mid-air collision with a German fighter plane which resulted in some serious damage to the tail section of the B17. Specifically:

The left horizontal stabilizer of the Fortress and left elevator were completely torn away. The two right engines were out and one on the left had a serious oil pump leak. The vertical fin and the rudder had been damaged, the fuselage had been cut almost completely through connected only at two small parts of the frame and the radios, electrical and oxygen systems were damaged. There was also a hole in the top that was over 16 feet long and 4 feet wide at its widest and the split in the fuselage went all the way to the top gunners turret.

And if this part can be believed, the pilot, Lt. Kendrick R. Bragg, went on to complete the run and drop the bombs on their target.

The crew used lines from their parachutes to hold the plane together and to pull a crew member from the damaged tail section. The tail gunner had to stay in the tail because his weight helped subdue the tail vibration.

The plane came under attack again, but the crew was able to fight them off. Once the plane had limped back to base and landed, all the crew got out unhurt. After it came to a stop the tail section finally gave way and fell to the ground.

Alternate title: "Sliced bomber."

Resources:
CMP forum -- B17 in 1943;
All American the miracle B17;
B17 almost cut in half;
Wikipedia which proclaims that the plane was "repaired and returned to service"(!);
photo tail on ground; and
photo plane in air.

Updated 9/25/2012-- Sam Silvey emails some corrections:

Hello,

Noticed that you have an article post to you your site that pertains to my uncle.

Hoping that you can edit this story. My Uncle Ralph Burbridge was the bombardier of this plane and has become aware that some of the stories floating around the internet have been fictionalized and have incorrect depictions of the account.

Please see the recent blog at this site to get my uncle’s story!

http://www.waterlandblog.com/2012/09/21/local-b-17-bombardier-recalls-wing-and-a-prayer-mission-on-the-all-american/

In particular…

1) The incident occurred after they had made their bombing run.

2) The crew had its parachutes on in the event the plane could not make it back, therefore they were not used “to hold the plane together.”

3) Pictures after the plane landed clearly show the tail section intact and never did gave away immediately after landing as often reported.

“And if this part can be believed, the pilot, Lt. Kendrick R. Bragg, went on to complete the run and drop the bombs on their target.

The crew used lines from their parachutes to hold the plane together and to pull a crew member from the damaged tail section. The tail gunner had to stay in the tail because his weight helped subdue the tail vibration.

The plane came under attack again, but the crew was able to fight them off. Once the plane had limped back to base and landed, all the crew got out unhurt. After it came to a stop the tail section finally gave way and fell to the ground.”

I received the following (see below) from the author of the blog receiving his permission to use the article to correct problems where I may find them.

Hope you can help get the true story out there!

Sincerely,

Sam Silvey

-----

Sam,

Here's the link. It was posted just 20 minutes ago at waterlandblog.com.

I made no changes after hearing back from you - but the publisher worked the sidebar I wrote from the flag and letter information you sent into the main story and captions.

Use any or all of this to help set the record of the All American straight - and to continue the legacy of the B-17 and honor the service of men like your uncle.

Thanks again,

Ralph

http://www.waterlandblog.com/2012/09/21/local-b-17-bombardier-recalls-wing-and-a-prayer-mission-on-the-all-american/

Sent from my mobile.=

Comments

[james humphrey]

I'm surprised the tail didn't break off on landing. The B-17 was a tail dragger after all.

[Geo]

Good point, James. That was one lucky flight.