On November 29, 1943, during a bombing mission over Bremen, Germany, the crew of the B-17F Rikki Tikki Tavi faced a nightmare in the skies. Among them was Staff Sergeant Eugene Moran, the tail gunner, who would soon endure one of the most harrowing survival stories of WWII.

A Deadly Mission

Over 300 bombers took off to strike Bremen, a heavily defended industrial city. As they approached their target, a Staffel of Bf 110s unleashed a barrage of 21 cm mortar rockets on the formation, followed by relentless machine-gun fire. The Rikki Tikki Tavi, piloted by First Lieutenant Linwood Langley, fought to stay in the air.

Moran fired back at the incoming Bf 110s, but waves of Bf 109s and Fw 190s swarmed the formation. Despite the chaos, bombardier Donald Curtis successfully dropped the payload before the bomber turned for home.

The Second Attack

As the formation retreated, the Rikki Tikki Tavi lagged behind—isolated and vulnerable. Enemy fighters quickly pounced. The ball turret gunner, Wilbert “Pee Wee” Provost, Moran’s best friend, was hit. His last words over the intercom: “Buddy, I’m done!”

A Bf 109 pulled alongside Moran’s position, its pilot signaling for him to bail out—a rare act of mercy. But before Moran could decide, another surviving crew member opened fire, forcing the German to retreat. The final assault began.

A Fight for Survival

Moran’s guns jammed, leaving him defenseless. Bullets tore into both of his arms and chest, breaking several ribs. The bomber spiraled out of control, splitting in two midair. Trapped inside the falling tail section, Moran’s body was pinned down by G-forces as he lost blood.

Miraculously, the tail section crashed into trees, cushioning the impact. Dazed and bleeding, Moran crawled toward a light and collapsed onto the forest floor.

Captured and Rescued

Moments later, French workers and German soldiers found him. A Serbian doctor in a POW camp operated on him, placing a metal plate on his head to cover his exposed brain. Against all odds, he survived his injuries and was later repatriated after the war—along with his only other surviving crewmate, Jesse Orison.

His Story Lives On

In 2022, eight years after Moran’s passing, author John Armbruster published “Tailspin,” recounting his incredible survival.

A story of resilience, loss, and the will to live—Staff Sergeant Eugene Moran’s survival is one of WWII’s most astonishing tales.