For Luftwaffe pilots, the sight of vast formations of B-17 Flying Fortresses was both awe-inspiring and daunting—especially in 1944, as Allied air power grew stronger. The B-17G, with its new Bendix chin turret, was built to counter frontal attacks, boosting defensive firepower significantly. One such bomber, 'Flak Eater' of the 364th Bomb Squadron, featured a fearsome shark mouth nose art to ward off attackers. Based at Chelveston, it flew at least 28 missions and survived the war, returning to the U.S. in June 1945 before being scrapped—like many war-weary veterans of the air campaign.
