A Fortress in the Sky
If you’ve ever wondered why the B-17 Flying Fortress earned its legendary reputation for toughness, look no further than the story of the All American.
On February 1, 1943, this bomber and its ten-man crew took off from Biskra, Algeria on a mission to strike German supply lines near Tunis. They were part of the 97th Bomb Group, flying into enemy territory where flak and fighters were waiting.
What happened that day would become one of the most jaw-dropping B-17 Flying survival stories of World War II.
Disaster Over Tunisia
As the formation neared the docks at Tunis, German Messerschmitt fighters swarmed the bombers. One fighter was hit and went out of control—but instead of spiraling harmlessly away, it smashed straight into the All American’s tail.
The damage was catastrophic. The left horizontal stabilizer was gone, the fuselage was nearly sliced in half, and two of the engines were dead. Photos later showed daylight visible through a gaping hole in the rear of the bomber. By all logic, the plane should have folded in midair.
A Crew Under Unbelievable Pressure
Inside the bomber, the crew realized just how bad things were. Control cables were severed, the tail section was flapping in the slipstream, and the rear gunner was cut off from the rest of the crew.
Some later retellings claim the men tied the fuselage together with parachute cords and even pieces of the German fighter. Whether or not that part is true, one fact isn’t in doubt: the pilot, Lt. Ken Bragg Jr., flew with incredible skill, nursing the crippled bomber through slow, careful turns to keep it from tearing apart.
Enemy fighters attacked again on the way home, but the crew fought them off—even firing from exposed positions where the fuselage had been ripped open.
Meet the Crew of the All American
The B-17 All American wasn’t just a plane — it was home to ten young men who trusted each other with their lives. Here’s who they were on that February day in 1943:
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Pilot – Lt. Ken Bragg Jr.
The man at the controls. His calm flying and steady hands are the reason the All American made it back in one piece. -
Co-Pilot – (sources vary between G. Engel Jr. and G. Boyd Jr.)
Assisted Bragg in keeping the crippled bomber level, helping with power management and flight control when the aircraft barely wanted to fly. -
Navigator – Harry C. Nuessle
Responsible for guiding the damaged plane back over friendly territory when every turn risked tearing it apart. -
Bombardier – Ralph Burbridge
Had already completed the bomb run when disaster struck. In later years, he helped clear up some of the myths surrounding the story. -
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner – Joe C. James
Monitored what was left of the engines, while also ready to defend the bomber from above. -
Radio Operator – Paul A. Galloway
Maintained communications despite damage to the electrical systems, keeping the crew connected with their formation and escorts. -
Ball Turret Gunner – Elton Conda
Sat in one of the most exposed positions under the plane, still prepared to fight off attackers even as the bomber struggled to stay airborne. -
Waist Gunner – Michael Zuk
Fired from the fuselage’s torn-open side, even standing exposed at times to repel German fighters. -
Tail Gunner – Sam T. Sarpolus
Cut off from the rest of the crew by the wreckage, he stayed at his post in the battered tail, firing in short bursts because the recoil threatened to twist the bomber apart. -
Crew Chief – Hank Hyland
Though not always aboard, Hyland’s maintenance work kept the All American flying long before and after that fateful mission.
The Long Flight Home
Against all odds, the All American stayed airborne for the 90-minute flight back to Biskra.
As the bomber approached the airfield, Allied escorts radioed ahead, telling ground crews to expect the worst. From their vantage point, the tail looked like it was hanging on by threads, “waving like a fish.”
But Lt. Bragg kept it steady, lined up for landing, and somehow brought the Flying Fortress down on the runway in one piece.
When the crew climbed out—every single man uninjured—the tail finally gave way and collapsed onto the ground. The airplane had held together just long enough to do its job.
Fact vs. Legend
Like many great wartime stories, the tale of the All American has picked up a few embellishments over the years. Some say the crew tied the bomber together. Others claim it limped all the way back to England. There’s even a rumor the song “Comin’ In on a Wing and a Prayer” was written about this mission (it wasn’t).
But the truth is dramatic enough on its own: a B-17, almost cut in two, brought ten men safely home.