When Only One B-17 Came Home

The nickname “The Bloody 100th” was born on October 10, 1943, during the third straight day of American bombing raids against Germany. That morning, the 100th Bomb Group, led by Major John Eagan, lifted off and formed up for the mission.

At the very end of the formation flew the most exposed position, grimly nicknamed “tail-end Charlie.” On this day, that role fell to a B-17 called Royal Flush, commanded by a young officer, Lieutenant Robert Rosenthal. Thirteen bombers set out; only one returned. Against all odds, how did the most vulnerable aircraft in the deadliest position make it home?

One by one, the B-17s of the 100th bomb group rise into the air, and the Royal Flush takes her position at the very back of the formation. This is a position everyone aboard is well aware of, as it is particularly exposed and dangerous. The armada flies over Holland and into Germany.

However, unbeknownst to their crew, there are no fighters since the weather at their base didn’t allow them to take off. Their absence leaves the bombers even more vulnerable. However, they had no choice but to press forward. Enemy fighters launch attacks, claiming a handful of B-17s.

A swarm of Me 109s and Fw 190s cut through the formation, firing their deadly 20mm guns. A rocket strikes the lead B-17 of the 100th bomb group, Mademoiselle Zig-Zag, piloted by Major Egan. Unaware of the Zig Zag’s predicament, the bombers directly behind also slow and drop altitude to maintain formation- a catastrophic chain reaction.

The crew of the Royal Flush watches one by one, one B-17 after another, being torn down into pieces. A fighter fires a flurry of rockets at the Royal Flush, one strikes directly on the wing, punching a massive hole and instantly taking out two engines. Then, the fighters turn away, knowing what the B-17s are heading towards. They gave way to a flurry of flak.

With the rest of the formation gone, every gun is now focused on the three surviving bombers. Then, the second-to-last B-17 is struck directly, bursting into a ball of flame. The Royal Flush is the last one standing. Roshenthal retakes control and maneuvers to avoid the flak. They manage to escape the city airspace, limping with just two engines and heavy damage. Then, multiple German aircraft appear, and the Royal Flush opens fire, but alone, they’re sitting ducks.

In desperation, Rosenthal throws all bomber pilot wisdom out of the window and breaks into evasive maneuvers. Four Fw 109s pull up, chasing the B-17 across the sky. Rear gunner Sgt. Bill de Blasio aims at the second from his left and fires bursts of bullets his way. He scores a critical hit, shearing its left wing clean off and making it crash into his wingman, taking both aircraft out of the sky. He then switches to another fighter, breaking off its canopy. The last fighter peels away, fleeing De Blasio’s deadly aim.

However, it’s not over yet for the Germans as six more aircraft line up behind the bomber. De Blasio opens fire, hitting one fighter, setting it alight. The rest of the enemies open fire, which punches through the bomber’s fuselage. Two of the waistgunners were struck by the shrapnel.

De Blasio kept on firing one bullet after another, impacting two of the 190s, making them lose control and crash into one another. By sheer luck, the remaining fighters turn away, limited by fuel.

The plane was gradually losing altitude at this point, so the crew threw out everything that wasn’t needed. Guns, ammunition, oxygen tanks, everything.

Back at Thorpe Abbotts, mechanics and officers anxiously watch the skies. The scheduled time of arrival has come and gone, all the bomber groups have returned, but nothing has been heard of the 100th. Then, a lone B-17 appears over the horizon. Smoking and barely flying, the Royal Flush lowers its landing gear, drifts in, and touches down upon the runway. The silence was deafening. They are the only ones from the 100th to return.

The raid was one of the worst disasters of the 8th Air Force’s history. The 100th bomber group was the one that suffered the most, earning its now infamous nickname, ‘The Bloody Hundredth. Of the 130 men in the shot-down planes, 37 were killed, and 93 would ultimately become prisoners of war.