Could you survive crawling onto a burning bomber wing at 20,000 feet?

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: During a 1944 bombing raid, RAF Flight Sergeant Norman Jackson performed an extraordinary act of courage. This video details how he attempted to extinguish a fire on his aircraft while mid-flight, offering a look at one of the most remarkable survival stories from the Second World War.

On the night of April 26–27, 1944, Flight Sergeant Norman Jackson faced a desperate situation while his Lancaster bomber was under enemy fire over Nazi Germany. At an altitude of 20,000 feet, he exited the fuselage to reach the wing, battling freezing temperatures and the blaze itself with only a handheld extinguisher.

This account highlights the extreme risks taken by aircrews during the conflict. The narrative is presented by Simple History, a channel managed by James Dowse, with historical oversight provided by Daniel Turner, who holds a B.A. (Hons) in History from University College London.

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