Eighth Air Force – Donald L. Miller.

Page 126 of the above book reads

“On a practice mission over England the bomb bay doors of a Fortress (B17) broke loose slicing off the tail of the plane. The trapped gunner tried frantically to punch through the side of the cockpit as the entire tail section hurtled to earth. He managed to make a hole big enough to protrude his head and shoulders but got stuck. Just when he thought he was finished he was blown free, dropping to the ground without his parachute. Miraculously he was unhurt. Seconds after the B17 and remaining crew impacted the ground and were killed.”

This event seems almost unreal to have survived such an ordeal. Does anyone have any further information, or information on other similar incidents – crew returning to earth without chutes. ?

Also the book mentions green tinted nose glass in the B17’s. Can anyone confirm if this was the case as I’ve only ever seen clear glass.

The book also mentions a B17 landing wheels up with the ball gunner stuck in his turret. Unfortunately being killed. Was this the idea used by Spielberg in one of his `short stories` mini series shown on TV.