The plane that kept flying even after its head was severed

The article tells the story of an American B-17 bomber nicknamed 'Mitzpeh', which during a mission to bomb the central railway station of Budapest in July 1944, suffered a direct hit from a shell that severed the cockpit, killing the pilot and co-pilot instantly. Despite the catastrophic damage, the plane continued flying for several more hours, with the surviving crew members managing to keep it airborne until they reached a safe area to bail out. The story highlights the extraordinary resilience and skill of the crew in the face of overwhelming odds.

The article recounts the remarkable story of an American B-17 bomber, nicknamed 'Mitzpeh', which was part of a bombing mission targeting the central railway station of Budapest in July 1944. During the mission, the plane was hit by a direct shell that tore off the cockpit, instantly killing the pilot and co-pilot. Despite this catastrophic damage, the aircraft continued to fly for several more hours. The surviving crew members, including the navigator and bombardier, managed to stabilize the plane and keep it airborne, eventually reaching a safe area where they could bail out. The story details the crew's bravery and quick thinking under extreme conditions, as well as the technical aspects of how the plane remained operational despite losing its command center. The article also touches on the broader context of the air war over Hungary and the dangers faced by bomber crews during World War II.

The plane that kept flying even after its head was severed