The story of B-17 tail gunners surviving after their aircraft’s tail section was severed is one of the most harrowing tales of resilience and survival in World War II aviation. These incidents were rare but serve as a testament to the hazards faced by the men who flew in the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the iconic heavy bomber of the U.S. Army Air Forces.
The Role of the Tail Gunner
The tail gunner’s position on a B-17 was one of the most vulnerable yet crucial roles. Positioned in the rear of the aircraft, the gunner defended against enemy fighters approaching from behind. Enclosed in a small, unpressurized, and freezing compartment, they operated twin .50 caliber machine guns, often enduring relentless attacks during bombing missions over Europe.
However, the position came with significant risk. The tail section of the B-17 was often targeted by enemy aircraft and subjected to heavy anti-aircraft flak. In some cases, the tail section was completely severed from the main fuselage during combat.
Surviving the Unthinkable
One of the most famous accounts involves Sergeant Alan Magee, a B-17 gunner who survived a fall from thousands of feet after his aircraft was shot down over France. While Magee was not in the tail section specifically, his story mirrors the miraculous survivals of some tail gunners.
In some cases, the tail section would break off due to structural failure, flak damage, or mid-air collisions. When this happened, the tail gunner was often left alone, trapped in the detached section of the aircraft, tumbling uncontrollably through the air.
Key Accounts
Tail Section Detachments
During combat, if the tail section separated due to enemy fire or flak, the violent forces could rip the gunner’s safety harness free, ejecting them into the open sky. Some gunners, however, remained in the tail as it descended, either unconscious or unable to bail out.
Survivors of Tail Breaks
Incredibly, there are documented cases where the tail section of a B-17 broke away, and the gunner inside survived. This was typically due to a combination of factors:
The tail’s descent speed being slowed by the stabilizers acting like a parachute.
The gunner’s position protecting them from immediate injury upon impact.
One such incident reportedly involved a tail gunner surviving after his section landed in a forest, the dense trees absorbing the impact.
Bailing Out
If the tail was damaged but still attached, some gunners managed to crawl out and bail, though this was a dangerous maneuver given the confined space and the likelihood of the aircraft spiraling out of control.