The Story of a WWII B-17 Squadron Mission Where Only One Returned Back Home

On the morning of October 10, 1943, Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal arrived at the briefing room along with sixty other pilots and navigators of the 100th Bomb Group. Among them were his co-pilot Winford “Pappy” Lewis and navigator Ronald Bailey. The mission orders were soon announced—the target was Münster. Unlike prior missions aimed at military factories, this time, the objective was the city’s old town, including its cathedral. The announcement shocked many in the room, but for some, including Major John Egan, it felt like a response to the heavy losses suffered in previous raids.As the aircrews processed the details, one concern stood out—the intelligence reports indicated that more than 500 German fighters were waiting to intercept. The American bombers would be escorted by 216 P-47 Thunderbolts, but if the escorts failed to reach them in time, the mission would be exceptionally dangerous.

The Formation Takes Flight

One by one, the B-17 Flying Fortresses took off. Rosenthal’s aircraft, Royal Flush, took its position at the rear of the formation, a highly vulnerable spot. As they crossed into enemy airspace, the bombers looked for their escorts, but the P-47s were missing. Bad weather at their bases had prevented them from taking off. The 100th Bomb Group was now exposed, heading straight into the enemy’s defenses alone.

German fighters soon appeared—Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke-Wulf Fw 190s dove into the formation, their guns blazing. The American gunners fought back, their .50-caliber machine guns spraying bullets into the sky. However, the attacks were relentless. Heavier Messerschmitt Bf 110s approached from the rear, firing rockets that exploded among the bombers. Chaos erupted as B-17s were struck and torn apart in midair.

Devastating Losses

Egan’s aircraft, Madelle Zig Zag, was hit. Two engines failed, and a gaping hole opened in the fuselage. The bomber slowed, struggling to keep up with the formation. The aircraft behind it instinctively reduced speed to stay with her, but this disrupted the entire squadron’s defensive formation. The hesitation proved fatal—enemy fighters seized the opportunity, cutting through the vulnerable bombers with ruthless precision.

As the situation worsened, some pilots made the difficult choice to leave their crippled comrades behind, hoping to avoid destruction themselves. Others, including Rosenthal in Royal Flush, stayed. The isolated aircraft were easy targets. One by one, B-17s caught fire, spiraled downward, or exploded in midair. Madelle Zig Zag took more hits. With the aircraft doomed, Egan gave the order to bail out. The crew parachuted down, with Egan and his co-pilot John Brady being the last to jump before their bomber was completely destroyed.

The Final Push to the Target

Despite the staggering losses, the remaining bombers pushed on toward Münster. By the time they reached the city, only a few aircraft were left. The German fighters pulled back, leaving the bombers to face the city’s anti-aircraft defenses alone. Heavy flak filled the air, tearing into the bombers. One released its payload too early and turned back, only to be intercepted and destroyed. Another was hit by flak, caught fire, and exploded before it could release its bombs.

Royal Flush was now the last surviving aircraft. Rosenthal steadied the plane as the bombardier lined up the target. The bomb bay doors opened, and the payload was released. Just as the bombs fell, flak tore into the fuselage, damaging the controls and knocking out two engines.

The Desperate Escape

Turning for home, Rosenthal and his crew realized the danger wasn’t over. German fighters reappeared, swarming the crippled bomber. The gunners fought desperately, with tail gunner Bill DeBlasio managing to shoot down several attackers. However, the Royal Flush took more hits. The waist gunners were wounded, and the aircraft’s structure weakened with every passing minute.

Miraculously, after what seemed like an eternity, the German fighters broke off, either low on fuel or convinced the bomber was doomed. Rosenthal and his crew were still in the air, but barely. They threw everything they could overboard to lighten the aircraft—ammunition, equipment, and even parts of the interior.

A Lone Survivor

At the 100th Bomb Group’s base at Thorpe Abbotts, officers and mechanics waited anxiously. The squadron’s return time had passed, and there was still no sign of them. Other bomb groups had made it back, but the sky remained empty of the 100th. Then, on the horizon, a single, battered B-17 appeared. Struggling to stay aloft, Royal Flush made its final approach. The engines sputtered, barely responding, but Rosenthal managed to land the aircraft. As the plane rolled to a stop, medics rushed to assist the wounded crew.

There was no celebration—only silence as the men stepped onto the grass, realizing they were the only ones who had returned. The raid on Münster had become one of the deadliest missions in the history of the Eighth Air Force. The 100th Bomb Group suffered massive losses, earning them the grim nickname “The Bloody Hundredth.” Of the 130 airmen aboard the bombers that went down, 37 were killed, and 93 were taken as prisoners of war. Only Royal Flush had made it back.