One of the three B - 17s ran out of fuel on its return to base .
One of the three B - 17s was destroyed in the resulting crash , but the crew bailed - out and survived ( Salecker , p. 181 ) .
One of the three B - 17s ran out of fuel on its return to base and was destroyed in the resulting crash , but the crew bailed - out and survived ( Salecker , p. 181 ) .