The fall of fortresses

By Elmer Bendiner

Subjects: Bombardment, 1943, History, American Aerial operations, United States, United States. Army Air Force. Air Force, 8th, World War, 1939-1945, World war, 1939-1945, aerial operations, American Personal narratives

Description: Elmer Bendiner was aboard a B-17 that was in a bombing raid over Germany. They were hit in the fuel tank by a German 20mm shell that did not explode. Upon landing, they found 11 such shells. All had no explosives. In one was a note from a Czech prisoner that said, "That's all we can do to help for now".