2nd Lt Joseph P. Normile, navigator of the B-17 42-29847 “High Ball”, took off from station 110 In Polebrook, UK at 1430 on a bombing mission over Saint Nazaire’s “Flak Alley” to target the submarine pens there. They were part of the High Squadron. The plane was shot down before it reached the target by German Fw-190s and was partially evacuated. Normile landed safely and was helped by local families and the Resistance. He returned to the UK on August 10th 1943 through the Bourgogne Pyrenees/Spain/Gibraltar route. His full E&E report can be read at http://media.nara.gov/nw/305270/EE-58.pdf. Many thanks to Andre Franc and the High Ball Souvenir Association for permission to use the photo.