‘High Life’ nose art steps back in time to echo original 100th BG markings from WWII

“High Life” was a B-17 Flying Fortress and the first aircraft assigned to the 351st Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group at Thorpe Abbotts during World War II. It was shot down during the Regensburg mission – the first of the famous eight missions to Germany in 1943, which earned the 100th BG their nickname of the “Bloody Hundredth.” In order to survive, the pilot of High Life, Lt. Donald Oakes, made the decision to turn towards Switzerland, where they crash-landed and were interred for the next couple of years. The original nose art design on the B-17 has now been put on one of the 100th Air Refueling Wing’s KC-135 Stratotankers, which was unveiled at a ceremony at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 17, 2024. The KC-135 now wears both this and the previous design to act as a reminder of those who served before us, while also honoring those who serve today. (Courtesy photo from 100th Bomb Group Foundation archives)