The Story of a B-17’s Tail Gunner Trapped as it Detached Mid-Flight

On November 29, 1943, the skies above Europe roared with the sound of engines as more than 300 B-17 bombers headed for Bremen, a heavily defended industrial city in Germany. Among the crew of the B-17 “Rikki Tikki Tavi” was Eugene “Gene” Moran, the tail gunner. Positioned at the rear of the plane, his role was one of the most dangerous yet vital for the survival of the crew.

The Intense Air Battle Over Bremen

As the bombers neared their target, the tension was palpable. Over the intercom came the dreaded warning: “Bandits, 12 o’clock high!” German Messerschmitt Bf 110s armed with Werfer-Granate rockets attacked head-on, a tactic designed to minimize defensive fire from the bombers. Rockets streaked past “Rikki Tikki Tavi,” narrowly missing the aircraft. The first bombers in the formation began to fall as the German fighters pressed their assault.

Gene prepared for the attack as the enemy planes roared past. He fired continuously, his tracer rounds lighting up the sky. One wave of attackers fell back, but another, composed of Bf 109s and Focke-Wulf 190s, advanced swiftly. Chaos erupted as enemy fighters darted through the formation, their guns blazing. Gene stayed focused, calling out enemy positions to the crew while firing at anything within range. The air grew thick with smoke and shrapnel.

German anti-aircraft guns below added to the danger, sending flak bursts into the formation. The concussive blasts rocked the planes, and Gene watched as several bombers were torn apart. Despite the chaos, “Rikki Tikki Tavi” continued to its target. Bombardier Donald Curtis dropped the payload over Bremen, and the crew turned their sights toward home. Brief relief gave way to renewed fear as fresh waves of German fighters closed in.

Isolation and Desperation Above the Clouds

“Bandits! They’re back!” The intercom crackled as warnings rang out. The defensive gunners worked tirelessly to protect the plane, and Gene fired until his ammunition ran low. But “Rikki Tikki Tavi” began to drift from the formation, making it a vulnerable target. Separated from the protective fire of the group, the bomber faced relentless attacks from all sides.

Gene’s tail position absorbed the brunt of the assault. Over the intercom, he heard the screams of his fellow crew members and the steady reports of damage to the plane. His closest friend, ball turret gunner Wilbert “Pee-Wee” Provost, called out one last time before falling silent. Gene’s focus narrowed as the situation grew increasingly grim.

Amid the chaos, a German Bf 109 pulled alongside the bomber. The enemy pilot gestured for Gene to bail out, a rare moment of humanity during the battle. Before Gene could react, another wave of gunfire shattered the moment, and the German fighter peeled away. The attacks continued until a devastating burst of gunfire tore through the tail section of the plane.

Harrowing Escape of a B-17 Gunner

The tail of “Rikki Tikki Tavi” detached with a deafening crack. Gene was thrown violently but managed to steady himself. His guns were jammed, leaving him defenseless as the tail spiraled through the air. As he hurtled downward, Gene realized his only chance of survival was his parachute. Fighting against the wind, he grabbed it and prepared to jump.

Gene leapt into the open sky, his parachute deploying and jolting him as it slowed his descent. The detached tail section plummeted to the ground, but Gene managed to land in a field, dazed but alive. The wreckage of the battle surrounded him, and the distant sounds of war served as a stark reminder that he was deep behind enemy lines.

Despite the odds, Gene survived that harrowing mission. His story highlights the bravery and determination of those who flew the B-17 Flying Fortresses during World War II, facing unimaginable dangers with unwavering courage.