The U.S. Eighth Air Force returned to Germany last week. Target: Emden's oft-bombed U-boat yards. As usual, the exact effects on the bomb target were unknown. But the effect on the Luftwaffe was terrific: some 500 Fortresses and Liberators shot down 117 German fighters; escorting U.S. fighters shot down 21 more. U.S. loss: 17 bombers, three fighters.
These figures made it clear that 1) the German fighters had found ways to break through the long-range escort cover; 2) when they did, the bombers with new and improved gun turrets were well able to take care of themselves. New German tactics were...
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