Boeing B-17F “All American”

Artist depiction of the incident.

The "All American" (full name "All American III") was a World War II Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress heavy bomber that was able to return safely to its base after having its rear fuselage nearly cut off by an in-flight collision with a German Bf 109 over enemy-held territory. The bomber's flight is said to have yielded one of the most famous photographs of World War II, and has been linked with the phrase "Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer." It inspired the 414th Bombardment Squadron's emblem, an image of a puppy praying atop an aircraft's tail section.

The Aircraft

The All American was a B-17F-5-BO, serial number 41-24406, in the 97th Bombardment Group, 414th Bombardment Squadron.

The Mission

On February 1, 1943, bombers of the 414th Bombardment Squadron departed their base near Biskra, Algeria, to attack the German-controlled seaports, Bizerte and Tunis, Tunisia. After dropping their bombloads and returning toward base, the bombers were attacked by German fighters, believed to be Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Two fighters attacked the lead B-17 and the All American which was flying next to it in formation. The bombers' machine gun fire downed the first fighter, but the second pressed its head-on attack against the All American. Apparently struck by machine gun fire, the second fighter could not complete its roll to pull down and away from the All American, the pilot apparently having been killed or disabled. The German pilot was reported as being 16-victory ace Erich Paczia of I/Jagdgeschwader 53.

The fighter's wing collided with the top rear fuselage of the All American, almost cleaving the bomber's tail section off, leaving a large diagonal gash from the base of the All American's vertical stabilizer and severing the left horizontal stabilizer from the plane. Metal in the airframe near the right tailplane was the only thing keeping the tail section, housing the rear gunner, attached to the aircraft. The fighter broke apart, leaving some pieces in the bomber's fuselage. Even though the control cables were severed, the crew was able to continue to fly the aircraft by using the autopilot system for the Norden bombsight, as it employed electric wires connecting to electric motor servos mounted next to the rudder and elevator.

The bomber squadron maintained formation to protect the All American until they were beyond the range of enemy fighters, with the crew donning parachutes in the expectation of having to bail out. However, the aircraft was piloted to a safe landing at its base, and despite the damage, none of the crew was injured.

The All American was repaired and returned to service as a hack with the 352nd Bombardment Squadron, 301st Bombardment Group, and flew until its March 1945 dismantlement.

The All American is reputed to be the source of the phrase, "Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer," and inspired the 414th Bombardment Squadron's emblem. An image of a puppy praying atop the rear fuselage formed the unit badge. The aircraft was the subject of what has been called one of the most famous photographs of World War II.

Mythology

Several false myths accrued in the lore of the All American, some of which were refuted in a 2012 interview of her bombardier Ralph Burbridge. Burbridge explained that the aircraft returned to her base in North Africa, and could not have made a long trip back to England as widely recounted. The base near Biskra, Algeria, was a more reasonable 300 miles (480 km) from the bombing target.

Burbridge also said that the collision occurred when the bomber group was returning to base after having dropped its bombs on target, so that the aircraft did not complete a bombing run after being damaged as had been incorrectly recounted. Burbridge's account confirms that the 10 crew members donned their parachutes, contradicting stories that the crew sacrificed some of their parachutes to hold the plane together or for an in-flight rescue of crew members from the isolated tail section.

The Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh 1943 song "Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer" was not written about All American as sometimes reported, but was about another 97th Bomb Group B-17, Thunderbird.

Crew Members

In a wartime letter, navigator Harry C. Nuessle listed the All American's crew of its 1 February 1943 flight, along with their signatures:

Pilot – Ken Bragg Jr. [Bragg was a halfback on the 1938 Duke Blue Devils football team.]

Copilot – G. Engel Jr. or G. Boyd Jr. [The signature of the copilot has an unclear surname. It has been read as "G. Boyd Jr." (Melville Guy Boyd Jr., 1921–1966) or as "G. Engel Jr." (Godfrey Engel Jr., 1915–2007). Research indicates Boyd was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group, not the 97th Bomb Group, while Engel's obituary noted that he served in the 97th. Signatures of both Boyd and Engel can be seen on their draft registration cards.]

Navigator – Harry C. Nuessle

Bombardier – Ralph Burbridge

Engineer – Joe C. James

Radio Operator – Paul A. Galloway

Ball Turret Gunner – Elton Conda

Waist Gunner – Michael Zuk

Tail Gunner – Sam T. Sarpolus

Ground Crew Chief – Hank Hyland

Boeing B-17F-5-BO (S/N 41-24406) "All American" of the 97th Bomb Group, 414th Bomb Squadron, in flight after a collision with an Me 109. The aircraft was able to land safely; 1 February 1943.

B-17F, “All American,” 41-24406, after having its tail nearly severed by a Bf 109 with a dead pilot.

Close-up of the port side of the damaged tail of the Boeing B-17F-5-BO (s/n 41-24406) "All American." The left horizontal stabilizer was torn completely off, and the aircraft was nearly cut in half by the collision; 1 February 1943.

Close-up of the starboard side of the damaged tail of the Boeing B-17F-5-BO (s/n 41-24406) "All American."

Boeing B-17F-5-BO (s/n 41-24406) "All American", 414th BS, 97th BG, after landing at Biksra Airfield, Algeria, 1 February 1943.

Boeing B-17F-5-BO (s/n 41-24406) "All American", 414th BS, 97th BG, after landing at Biskra Airfield, Algeria, 1 February 1943.

This Boeing B-17F piloted by 1st Lt. Kenneth R. Bragg of Savannah, Georgia, was on a bombing mission over Tunis on 1 February 1943 when a Me 109 dove at the ship. A gunner on the Fortress fired on the attacking plane and killed the pilot. The Me 109 then collided with the aircraft nearly shearing off the tail.

Close up of the damage to the rear fuselage of "All American".

Close up of the damage to the starboard side of the rear fuselage of "All American".

This photo was taken some months after "All American's" last combat mission to Bo Rizzo on May 10, 1943. All turrets, guns and armor plate were then removed and she was used as a utility aircraft until she was salvaged overseas in March 1945. You can see evidence of the major surgery that was performed on her aft fuselage.

"All American" being dismantled for salvage at Lucera Airfield, Italy, on 6 March 1945.

Emblem of the 414th Bombardment Squadron in World War II.