Identifier2007-08-08_image_056SourceThe Lee R. Embree Collection (2007-08-08), Box 2, Folder 1CreatorEmbree, Lee R., 1915-2008DescriptionPhotograph of a destroyed Boeing B-17C Flying Fortress aircraft, Hickam Field, December 7, 1941. The aircraft was attacked by Japanese forces during the Pearl Harbor attack while attempting to land. Bullets hit magnesium flares, igniting a fire that led to the aircraft breaking in two.
Typed caption glued to verso: "Hickam Field, Hawaii. Dec. 7, 1941.This is the B-17C of our crew #3 after the Japanese attack as it was landing. Incendiary Japanese bullets hit the magnesium flares in the radio compartment and the resulting hot fire caused the airplane to break in two upon landing. This is the B-17C that I was originally assigned to and I was replaced by our squadron flight surgeon on the orders of the squadron commander. This change was necessary because my aerial camera was 24 volts and the B-17C was 12 volts. The crew was Capt. Raymond T. Swenson; co-pilot 2nd Lt. Ernest L. Reid; bombardier 2nd Lt. Homer R. Taylor; Crew chief M/Sgt. Leroy B. Pouncey; asst. crew chief Sgt. Earl T. Williams; radio operator Sgt. Joseph J. Bruce, and flight surgeon Lt. William Schick."Creation Date1941-12-07SubjectWorld War, 1939-1945United States. Army. Air CorpsBoeing B-17C Flying FortressAirplanes, MilitaryPearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941Pearl Harbor (Hawaii)Hickam Air Force Base (Hawaii)PlaceHawaiiUnited StatesOriginal Formatphotographic printsBibliographic CitationThe Lee R. Embree Collection/The Museum of FlightRightsCopyright undetermined
Embree, Lee R., 1915-2008, [Destroyed Boeing B-17C Flying Fortress aircraft], [2007-08-08_image_056]. Museum of Flight Digital Collections, accessed 10/02/2026, https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/nodes/view/9470