TSgt Earl L. Sell, radio operator of the B-17 42-5053 "Bloody Tangier Show", took off from Chevelston, UK on a bombing mission to Château-Bougon’s airfield and bomber parts production plant for Heinkel. "Bloody Tangier Show" was one of the 62 planes assigned to this target. After having successfully dropped their bombs, the plane came under heavy AA fire and suffered a hit to its engine, causing it to lose altitude. Three Focke-Wulf fighters exploited their position and strafed the plane repeatedly. The pilot gave the order to bail out at noon but Sell was already dead.