The B-17 Flying Fortress continues to symbolize the aerial power and courage demonstrated during World War II. Few exemplify the peril and resolve of this era more than the unfortunate “Wee Willie.” The narrative surrounding its ultimate, sorrowful moments serves as a poignant testament to the hazards and valor of aircrews throughout the American daylight bombing campaign over Germany.
Catastrophic Hit
The first image in the sequence depicts the aftermath of a destructive flak strike. Following the impact, “Wee Willie’s” left wing has been torn away, spinning uncontrollably behind the aircraft while ablaze. This photograph signifies the commencement of the aircraft’s tragic descent, highlighting the immediacy of the battle and the abruptness of its demise, signaling the onset of its swift and ultimate fall.
A Spiraling Dive
The second image, frequently employed as a representation of the challenges encountered by American aircrews, depicts “Wee Willie” in its fatal descent. In this depiction, the plane is nearly engulfed, descending towards the ground with its full crew of nine still aboard. The image portrays a haunting scene of the irreversible plunge, as the Fortress transforms into a blazing comet, leaving behind a trail of smoke and wreckage.
The Last Moment
The concluding image in the series portrays the explosion of “Wee Willie,” marking the culmination of its destruction. The once formidable aircraft now lies in fragments across the sky, plummeting to the earth amidst flames and smoke. This catastrophic event serves as the grim end to what had commenced as a routine mission.
An eyewitness to the tragedy provided further details on the aftermath of the strike. According to their written account, the fuselage ignited upon impact, with the left wing separating approximately 5,000 feet above ground. As the descent continued, the fuselage experienced successive explosions, culminating in the final impact.
Of the nine-man crew aboard “Wee Willie,” only Lt. Fuller survived. He was forcefully ejected from the cockpit by the initial explosion, deploying his parachute and landing safely on the ground. However, he was soon captured by German forces, and his subsequent fate remains uncertain.
The entire sequence of events was captured by an automatic strike camera mounted on another B-17 participating in the raid. This equipment began recording immediately after the release of the first bombs, documenting the events until either exhausting its film supply or reaching its programmed limit of shots.
Echoes of Bravery and Sacrifice
“Wee Willie” was tasked with a mission as part of a broader raid aimed at the locomotive repair shops in Stendal. Despite the sorrowful loss incurred, the mission was deemed successful, resulting in substantial damage to the target. However, the toll was heavy, with both “Wee Willie” and another B-17, “Times A-Wastin’,” succumbing to flak fire. Survivors’ and witnesses’ testimonies paint a chilling picture of the last moments, recounting the rapid and brutal demise suffered by these aircraft and their crews.
