"Not Without A Fight"
Prints are signed by six of the crew members from the
"Paper Doll"!
"Paper Doll"!
On March 23, 1944 ‘Paper Doll’, a B-17 G-5-VE serial number 42-39954 of the 728th
BS, 452nd BG, 8th AF and her crew were on their eleventh mission. The target was
Brunswick in Germany, which they continued onto despite their number four
engine being out.
After taking heavy damage on the way to the target, including the number one
engine being shut down and the number two coming off its mounts, ‘Paper Doll’
dropped out of formation. Port wing leaking fuel, they descended through the
undercast until they broke into a clear layer with solid cloud above and below.
They were followed by six Bf-109s, three staying as top cover while the others
positioned for an attack. Coming from below and behind a Bf-109 G-6 from 4/JG 53
flown by Ofw. Stefan Litjens*, pressed an attack. After its firing pass it climbed into
a stall about 250 feet out to port, high and behind. The Port Waist Gunner hit it in the
wing, doing extreme damage and saw it spin down through the clouds.
With the bomb bay burning, fuel leak ignited and two more 109s attacking the crew
abandoned ship. All ten were taken prisoner and spent 13 months as POWs.
Depicted here is the moment just after Litjens has finished his firing pass and
shortly before he is shot down. The ‘Paper Doll’ is showing her wounds though still
maintaining an air of dignity and the pleasing lines of the B-17.
Ardell Bourgeois © 2003
BS, 452nd BG, 8th AF and her crew were on their eleventh mission. The target was
Brunswick in Germany, which they continued onto despite their number four
engine being out.
After taking heavy damage on the way to the target, including the number one
engine being shut down and the number two coming off its mounts, ‘Paper Doll’
dropped out of formation. Port wing leaking fuel, they descended through the
undercast until they broke into a clear layer with solid cloud above and below.
They were followed by six Bf-109s, three staying as top cover while the others
positioned for an attack. Coming from below and behind a Bf-109 G-6 from 4/JG 53
flown by Ofw. Stefan Litjens*, pressed an attack. After its firing pass it climbed into
a stall about 250 feet out to port, high and behind. The Port Waist Gunner hit it in the
wing, doing extreme damage and saw it spin down through the clouds.
With the bomb bay burning, fuel leak ignited and two more 109s attacking the crew
abandoned ship. All ten were taken prisoner and spent 13 months as POWs.
Depicted here is the moment just after Litjens has finished his firing pass and
shortly before he is shot down. The ‘Paper Doll’ is showing her wounds though still
maintaining an air of dignity and the pleasing lines of the B-17.
Ardell Bourgeois © 2003
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All sales are subject to availability.
All sales are subject to availability.
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be
reproduced without their consent.
reproduced without their consent.
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