The attack on BOAC Flight 777 occurred during World War II when tensions were high between the Axis and Allied powers. The aircraft was a civilian Douglas DC-3, operating a mail and passenger service. Flying over the Bay of Biscay, it was intercepted by a squadron of German Luftwaffe, which included several Junkers Ju 88 bombers. During the assault, the plane was hit and ultimately crashed into the ocean, resulting in the deaths of 17 of the 19 people on board, including the well-known actor Leslie Howard. Howard was returning from a trip to the United States, where he had been involved in promoting the Allied cause through his influence in the film industry.

The tragic loss of a prominent public figure like Howard led to an outpouring of grief and fueled conspiracy theories regarding the incident. Some theorists speculated that the bombing was not merely an attack on a civilian aircraft but possibly a misguided assassination attempt on Winston Churchill, as Howard's connections and high-profile stature raised eyebrows. At the time, Howard was known for his outspoken views on the war, and his death was marked by speculation about his role in the British propaganda efforts aimed at garnering U.S. support.

The German government maintained that the shooting down of Flight 777 was a legitimate military action against an enemy target. However, the fallout from this incident highlighted the dangers faced by civilian flights during wartime and brought attention to the implications of targeting public figures. The reactions and investigations that followed reflected the broader societal concerns regarding safety and the intertwining of civilian and military operations during the conflict.