Make regular checks to ensure the crew is OK and that the
guns aren't jammed - it's easy to miss messages in the heat
of combat. Keep at least one pilot healthy because the plane
can end up in a spin if it's in a turn when the pilot is hit,
giving little time to bail out.

Make the radio operator send a MayDay message to improve your
chances of survival when you're bailing out over the channel.
Landing an engineless, bullet-ridden, flame-scorched B-17 after
a mission is risky and difficult. Bail out over the channel to
ensure mission success. Before landing, attempt to heal injured
crew otherwise they are hospitalised.
Having more than one crew member peform first aid on a casualty
increases the chances of success.