When Only One B-17 Came Home
The birth of the moniker the Bloody 100th came about on October 10th 1943. It was the third day of daily bombing raids of US forces against German targets. The 100th Bomb Group led by Major John Eagan took off and assembled into formation. The last plane in the formation was the most vulnerable and known as “tail-end Charlie”. On this mission that misfortune fell to a plane called the Royal Flush. It was piloted by young officer Lieutenant Robert Rosenthal. 13 planes took off and only one would return. How could the most vulnerable of the planes in the worst position make it’s way home on that day?
00:00 100th plan to hit Munster
02:35 Where are the fighters?
03:25 Enemies arrive
04:19 M’lle Zig Zag is hit
07:10 Finish off the B-17 lead
07:40 Bail out
09:17 Royal Flush gets bombs away
10:15 German planes attack the last B-17
11:28 6 new German Fighters
13:48 Royal Flush returns to base
14:53 The ‘Bloody’ 100th bomb group
Credit to : Yarnhub
