Just for interest before Sam replies, at the Thorpe Abbotts 100th BG reunion last summer I spoke to Richard Long, waist gunner of B-17 43-38963, piloted by Lawrence Bazin on a raid to Burg-Bei-Magdeburg on 10th April, 1945.

The target was apparently 'a jet airfield' but as the 100th aapproached the target their formation was attacked by 'seven Me262s'.

The Bazin 'plane was hit by fire from two Me262s causing the right wing with engines three and four to burst into flames.

Mr Long vividly described how he suddenly found himself falling from the sky - the B17 had literally broken up around him. He was lucky - four of the crew, including Bazin, didn't escape from the stricken Fortress.

A nice touch - as I proferred my copy of 'Century Bombers' for signing, Mr Long winked and said, slowly, 'You'll find me on page 197'.

And, sure enough.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson