Untitled

"Sunrise"

Damage to the American B-17G-1-VE bomber (serial number 42-39789) nicknamed "Skunkface" from the 379th Bomb Group, sustained by German fighter fire during a raid on the Focke-Wulf plant in Bremen on December 20, 1943

Thanks to the skill of the bomber's pilot, 2nd Lieutenant William Elliot, the aircraft reached Kimbolton Air Force Base in the UK with a torn-off right horizontal stabilizer, a damaged rudder, a failed engine, and a crew almost completely incapacitated.

The gunners, Staff Sergeant Logan D. Wikle, Sergeant Adolphus Payne, and the dorsal turret gunner, Technician Sergeant Raymond Williams, abandoned the aircraft and were taken prisoner.

Killed were: co-pilot - 2nd Lt. Richard W. Fisher, navigator - 2nd Lt. James L. Rockwell, bombardier - 2nd Lt. Burton W. Cashatt, radio operator - Technician Sergeant Arthur C. Fawcett and tail gunner - Staff Sergeant William J. Fiorenti.

The rescue posted that this little family has been spotted several times since the introduction and they seem to be doing great 🥹