The First B-17 Flying Fortress Shot Down in Combat

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was a four-engine heavy bomber that played a critical role in the Allied victory in World War II. It was known for its heavy defensive armament and its ability to withstand heavy damage. It was also known for its size, which made it a difficult target for enemy fighters.

The first B-17 Flying Fortress to be shot down in combat was on December 20, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The aircraft was part of the 19th Bomb Group and was piloted by Captain Colin Kelly. The B-17 was attacked by Japanese fighters and was hit by several rounds of cannon fire. The aircraft caught fire and crashed into the sea. Kelly and his crew were all killed.

Kelly was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism. He became a national hero and his story was widely publicized. The B-17 Flying Fortress went on to become one of the most famous and successful aircraft of World War II. It played a key role in the bombing campaigns against Germany and Japan, and it was used in a variety of other roles, including transport and reconnaissance.

The Story of Colin Kelly

Colin Kelly was born in 1915 in Madison, Florida. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1937 and was trained as a bomber pilot. He was assigned to the 19th Bomb Group in Hawaii in 1941. On December 7, 1941, Kelly was one of the pilots who participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was credited with sinking a Japanese battleship, the USS Arizona. Kelly was then assigned to the 97th Bomb Group in the Philippines. On December 20, 1941, Kelly's B-17 was shot down by Japanese fighters while on a bombing mission over Luzon.

Kelly's B-17 was hit by several rounds of cannon fire and caught fire. Kelly ordered his crew to bail out, but he stayed at the controls of the aircraft to keep it from crashing into a populated area. He managed to steer the aircraft away from the city and into a remote area. The B-17 crashed into the sea and Kelly and his crew were all killed.

Kelly's heroism was widely publicized and he became a national hero. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions. The B-17 Flying Fortress was named after him and it became one of the most famous and successful aircraft of World War II.

The B-17 Flying Fortress

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was a four-engine heavy bomber that was designed and built by Boeing in the 1930s. It was first flown in 1935 and it entered service with the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1938. The B-17 was a large aircraft, with a wingspan of 103 feet and a length of 74 feet. It was powered by four Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone radial engines, which gave it a top speed of 287 mph. The B-17 was armed with 13 .50 caliber machine guns and it could carry a bomb load of 6,000 pounds.

The B-17 was used extensively in World War II. It was used in the bombing campaigns against Germany and Japan, and it was also used in a variety of other roles, including transport and reconnaissance. The B-17 was a successful aircraft, but it was also a difficult and dangerous aircraft to fly. It was slow and vulnerable to enemy fighters, and it was often damaged in combat. However, the B-17 was also a very durable aircraft, and it could often withstand heavy damage and return to base.

The B-17 Flying Fortress was one of the most important aircraft of World War II. It played a critical role in the Allied victory, and it helped to turn the tide of the war. The B-17 was also a symbol of American air power and it was a source of pride for the American people.

Conclusion

The first B-17 Flying Fortress to be shot down in combat was on December 20, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Colin Kelly, who became a national hero for his bravery and sacrifice. The B-17 Flying Fortress went on to become one of the most famous and successful aircraft of World War II.