What did German pilots think of the B-17?

German pilots came to regard the American B-17 Flying Fortress as a formidable, robust, and heavily armed bomber.

German Pilots' Perspective on the B-17 Flying Fortress

The Luftwaffe gained extensive combat experience against the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, leading to an intimate understanding of its characteristics and capabilities during aerial engagements. This firsthand experience shaped their views, crediting the bomber with several key attributes that made it a challenging adversary.

Key Attributes Noted by German Pilots

German pilots, through repeated encounters, recognized the following significant features of the B-17:

• Speed: Despite its large size and bombing payload, the B-17 was acknowledged for its notable speed in the air, allowing it to maintain formations and execute bombing runs effectively.
• Load Carrying Capacity: They understood the significant payload the B-17 was capable of carrying, which directly translated to its destructive potential on ground targets.
• Ruggedness: The B-17's exceptional durability was a frequently observed trait. It was known for its ability to absorb considerable amounts of battle damage and still remain airborne, often returning to base despite severe structural damage. This resilience made it particularly difficult to bring down.
• Bristling Defensive Firepower: The "Flying Fortress" earned its nickname due to its numerous machine gun positions covering almost every angle. German pilots encountered a dense barrage of defensive fire when attempting interceptions, making close approaches and direct attacks hazardous.

Summary of German Pilot Assessments

The table below summarizes the key characteristics German pilots attributed to the B-17: