In a harrowing chapter of World War II, the 100th Bomb Group faced catastrophic losses during a bombing mission over Germany on October 10, 1943. Only one B-17, the Royal Flush, returned home, leaving behind a devastating toll of 37 men dead and 93 captured as prisoners of war.

In a fateful briefing, pilots were ordered to target the Oldtown Cathedral in Moers, a decision that shocked many, considering the heavy civilian presence. As the B-17s took to the skies, they entered enemy territory without the promised fighter escorts due to poor weather conditions. This left them vulnerable to an overwhelming swarm of German fighters.

The Royal Flush, piloted by Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, was at the back of the formation, a perilous position that would soon prove disastrous. As the group faced relentless attacks from enemy aircraft, the formation began to break apart. Major John Egan’s B-17, the lead bomber, was forced to fall behind, triggering a catastrophic chain reaction that left the remaining bombers isolated.

Despite fierce resistance, the bombers were picked off one by one, with the Royal Flush witnessing the destruction of its comrades in a brutal aerial battle. With their numbers dwindling and critical systems failing, the crew of the Royal Flush fought desperately to reach their target. In a final act of bravery, they managed to drop their bombs before limping back home, severely damaged and low on fuel.

As the Royal Flush touched down at Thorpe Abbotts, the silence was palpable. The crew emerged from the wreckage, not in celebration but in somber recognition of the grim reality they had faced. This mission, now etched in history as one of the bloodiest for the U.S. Army Air Forces, serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made in the skies above Europe.