TSgt Clairborne W. Wilson, mechanic of the B-17 42-5717, took off from Thurleigh in Bedfordshire, UK on a bombing mission over Saint-Nazaire’s “Flak Alley”. They were harassed by enemy fighters and flak until they crashed around noon. Once the plane started to dive, Wilson crawled through the bomb bay and radio room to relay the bail out order. He found Espitallier badly wounded from a 20mm shell to his leg and helped him jump. He left Sgt Morgan behind, too injured to bail out safely. Wilson landed near Floreval where he was aided by local families and Resistance members to return to England.