The Story of the WWII Flight Engineer Who Wingwalked During a Dogfight

A Dangerous Night Over France

On the night of April 26, 1944, a large group of British Lancaster bombers flew high over France. Their mission was to strike German factories that were part of the war effort. Among them was a young Canadian, 21-year-old Flight Officer Fred “Miff” Mifflin, piloting one of the heavy bombers. Unknown to him, German radar had already detected the group, and night fighters were preparing to strike.

One of these attackers was a specially equipped German Bf 110, fitted with upward-firing guns. It slipped beneath a Lancaster and fired, tearing the bomber apart in seconds. From Mifflin’s cockpit, the crew watched helplessly as flames consumed the falling aircraft. They knew their turn could come next. Still, they pressed on toward their target, bracing themselves.

Closing In and Taking Damage

As the bomb aimer moved into position, flight engineer Norman Jackson folded up his seat to make room. They flew deeper into enemy territory, where bursts of anti-aircraft fire—flak—lit up the sky. One explosion struck their wing. Mifflin stayed calm, guiding the aircraft while calling out updates to his crew.

With the target now in view, flares from earlier Pathfinder planes lit up the ground. The bomb aimer released the payload, and explosions followed as the bombs hit the factory below. Their mission complete, Mifflin turned the bomber toward home, but danger still filled the night sky.

A Silent Hunter in the Dark

German radar again tracked the returning bombers and guided fighter planes toward them. One of these, a Focke-Wulf 190—nicknamed the “Butcher Bird”—found Mifflin’s plane. Flying above and out of range of the bomber’s radar, the fighter closed in and opened fire. Cannon shells ripped into the rear of the plane, wounding the tail gunner, Norman Johnson.

As the Lancaster dove and twisted in an effort to escape, a second attack followed. The plane was hit again, this time near the wing. The cockpit began to glow with fire, and shrapnel injured Jackson’s legs. Despite the pain, he saw the growing fire and knew it could destroy the bomber.

The Unthinkable Plan

Jackson decided to try something no one expected—he would climb outside the plane and fight the fire himself. The crew thought it was madness, but he insisted. As others held his parachute, Jackson tied it on and prepared to exit the plane. Flying at 180 mph, he stepped into the freezing night.

Using an escape axe to steady himself, Jackson crawled along the wing, gripping metal that burned even through his gloves. With one hand, he used a fire extinguisher to spray into the cannon hole. Slowly, the fire began to fade. Against all odds, he managed to put it out.

Hit in the Air

Only hours earlier, Jackson had received news that he had just become a father. Now, bloodied and exhausted, he tried to return inside. But the German fighter had not gone far. Seeing the fire disappear, the pilot returned. A fresh wave of bullets tore through the aircraft. Jackson was hit again—this time in the leg and shoulder—just feet from the extinguished flames.