Why an Aviator Wingwalked During a Dogfight

On April 26, 1944, RAF Flight Engineer Norman Cyril Jackson found himself in a nightmare situation during a bombing raid over Schweinfurt, Germany. Piloting a Lancaster bomber from the 106th Squadron, Jackson faced an inferno on the wing of his aircraft after it was struck by enemy fire. What followed was a story of incredible bravery, earning him the Victoria Cross—the highest military honor for valor.

A Mission Turned Perilous

The RAF’s mission was clear: destroy key targets in Schweinfurt. However, German flak and enemy fighters turned the skies into a battleground. During the raid, 20-mm shells from an FW-190 tore through Jackson’s Lancaster, riddling the tail and striking near the cockpit. Shrapnel peppered Jackson’s legs, leaving him badly injured. Soon, flames erupted on the wing, dangerously close to the engine and fuel tank. Jackson knew the fire could tear the wing apart or trigger a catastrophic explosion.

A Daring Plan

Despite his injuries, Jackson devised an audacious plan. He would climb out of the aircraft and extinguish the fire himself. As he briefed the crew, Jackson calmly explained, “I may be able to put the fire out. If I don’t, and I get blown over the wing, then feed out the parachute best you can.”

Equipped with an escape axe and fire extinguisher, Jackson climbed through the hatch. Using the axe for support, he crawled onto the wing, clinging to the plane as it sped through the air. With flames lighting his path, Jackson shuffled hand over hand toward the fire.

Life on the Line

The intense heat scorched through Jackson’s gloves as he reached the wing’s edge. One-handed, he aimed the extinguisher at the fire, spraying it into the cannon strike. Miraculously, the flames subsided, but the battle wasn’t over.

The FW-190 pilot, seeing the fire extinguished, returned and unleashed another barrage. Jackson was hit in the leg and shoulder, losing his grip. The crew, unable to pull him back in, released his parachute as Jackson fell from the wing.

Survival and Sacrifice

The stricken Lancaster continued its descent. The pilot, Mifflin, chose to stay with his tail gunner, Johnson, to attempt a crash landing. Tragically, both men lost their lives. Meanwhile, Jackson, despite his injuries, landed alive.

Crawling to a nearby farmhouse, he was taken in and eventually transferred to a German POW hospital staffed by Allied personnel.

Recognition of Courage

Jackson made a full recovery and was liberated in 1945. Later that year, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary valor. When informed of the honor, his humble response was, “What the hell for?”

Norman Cyril Jackson’s bravery remains a testament to the indomitable human spirit, proving that even in the face of overwhelming odds, acts of heroism can shine brightest.