B-17 Survives 20mm Shells and Escapes At Treetop Level

As flames lit the sky over Germany, First Lieutenant John Justice scanned the chaos, desperately searching for friendly aircraft. Overhead, a swarm of Messerschmitts shredded through a formation of thirteen American B-17 bombers en route to Münster. One after another, the Flying Fortresses were torn from the sky.

When the lead bomber took a direct hit and spiraled down, Justice veered toward another Allied group—but his escape was cut short. A 20mm shell struck his aircraft, jolting it into a sharp dive. Then came a second hit. Fire raced across the wings, and the cockpit groaned under the heat. Justice knew the signs—he’d seen them too many times with the 100th Bomb Group, a unit infamous for its heavy losses.

Grabbing his chute, he leapt into the freezing sky. At just 500 feet, his parachute opened, jerking him into a hard landing—in enemy territory. Alone and surrounded, he was determined not to be the next casualty of the group nicknamed “The Bloody Hundredth.”

A Rocky Start

Formed as part of the 8th Air Force, the 100th Bomb Group arrived in England in February 1942, eager to battle Hitler’s forces in the skies. But early signs weren’t promising. Training was chaotic, discipline was loose, and the unit’s performance lagged. Despite these struggles, there was no time for delay—Nazi Germany was pressing hard, and the Allies needed every plane in the air.

The Münster Mission

Münster, a key hub in Germany’s industrial and rail networks, became the 100th’s target. Their objective: cripple the city’s supply routes and weaken Germany’s war machine. But as their 12 B-17s approached the target, the Luftwaffe pounced, and deadly flak filled the sky.

Only one bomber would return home.

Among those shot down was Pasadena Nena, piloted by Justice. After suffering engine failure and heavy damage, the crew tried to stabilize the aircraft—barely leveling off above the trees. With the plane losing altitude and defenseless, the crew bailed out, parachuting into the dense forest below.

Escape and Evasion

Alone in enemy territory, Justice kept to the shadows, dodging German patrols and moving silently through the woods. Eventually, he encountered Dutch civilians, who led him to members of the Dutch resistance.

From attics to haystacks, Justice was hidden, protected, and smuggled from one safehouse to another. Despite their own hardships, the Dutch shared what little they had. “They represented their hope for liberation,” Justice would later recall.

His journey eventually took him to Spain, where he was handed over to British officials and returned to Allied lines.

Legacy of the Bloody Hundredth

By the war’s end, the 100th Bomb Group had flown over 8,000 missions through some of Europe’s most dangerous skies. They lost more than 700 airmen and 177 aircraft—a staggering price that earned them a fearsome reputation. Yet through sheer courage and resilience, they continued to fight.

John Justice’s survival is just one of many stories that reflect the group’s legacy—of sacrifice, defiance, and determination in the face of overwhelming odds.