Master Sergeant James L Smith a crew chief of the 379th Bomb Group inspects the propellor of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Patches" that was blown off by flak and became embedded in the wing. Passed for publication 9 May 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortress "Loses" Propeller Over France But Brings It Home - Embedded In Wing. With one of the propellers embedded in its wing, the Flying Fortress "Patches" presented an unusual sight as it returned from a raid on military installations in the Pas de Calais area yesterday, May 8. After the ship had been hit by flak, one of the props flew off, took the tip off the[sic] ne[sic] another one and smashed through the wing and radio hatch, just missing the radio operator's head. Associated Press Photo Shows:- M/Sgt. James L. Smith, of Wharton, Texas, crew-chief of the Fortress "Patches", examines the the prop embedded in the wing. The pilot of the ship was 2nd Lt. Walter J. Miller Jr., of 1016 Gary St., Shreveport, L.A., and the radio operator who had such a narrow escape was S/S Jack R. Guill, of 1639 Spring Garden St., Greensboro, N. California. ALA 267517. 9-5-44-Y.' Censor no: 319497. On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].