When 1 B-26 shot down 3 ME-262 Jets

A Routine Mission Turns Deadly

On April 20, 1945, just days before Germany’s surrender, 1st Lt. James Louis “Jim” Vining, a 20-year-old pilot from the 323rd Bomb Group, prepared for what was expected to be an uneventful mission—his 40th.

As his B-26 Marauder took off from Northern France with a formation of 48 bombers headed toward Memmingen, Germany, he joked about going after a German wonder weapon if he ever saw one. But he never expected to actually face one.

An Unexpected Ambush

Out of nowhere, 20 Me-262 jet fighters—including Adolf Galland, one of Germany’s top aces—descended upon them. The B-26 squadron was outmatched.

Vining knew they stood no chance in a defensive formation, so he made a bold and unprecedented decision: he broke away from the group and went on the offensive—something no bomber pilot was trained to do.

Three Me-262s locked onto him. His only hope? Outmaneuvering them.

Fighting Back

As the first Me-262 overshot his Marauder, Vining lined up his nose and fired—a direct hit to the left engine of the enemy jet, setting it on fire.

Just then, another Me-262 tore into his tail section, severely damaging the right engine. The B-26 lost power rapidly, and Vining had to fight to keep it in the air. He ordered his bombardier to jettison their payload, hoping to stay airborne.

Wounded and bleeding heavily from his leg, Vining compressed the wound himself while his radio operator improvised a tourniquet using a headset cord.

Despite losing altitude, they fended off two more attacks over the next 10 minutes. Thanks to Vining’s quick thinking and his gunners’ precision, they scored two confirmed kills—a miraculous feat for a bomber crew against jet fighters.

A Crash Landing & Unlikely Rescue

With the plane falling fast, Vining turned toward the largest open field he could find. As he ordered his crew to bail out, they refused to leave him behind.

With only a few hundred feet left, Vining started losing consciousness, and his crew took over the controls. The landing was rough—the B-26 broke apart, killing the top turret gunner.

By sheer luck, they had crashed near a passing German hospital train. Medics rushed to the scene, saving Vining’s life.

The Aftermath

For his extraordinary bravery, Vining was recommended for the Medal of Honor but ultimately awarded the Silver Star. He was promoted to Captain and honorably discharged due to his injuries.

After the war, he spent 30 years working for the CIA and continued his passion for flying until his passing at age 92 in August 2018.

A true hero who turned an impossible situation into an unforgettable act of valor.