Flying at 25,000 feet, loaded with 6,000 pounds of bombs, bristling with thirteen .50 caliber machine guns, and with a highly trained and motivated flight crew, the B-17 Flying Fortress became the physical symbol of America's Mighty Eighth Air Force.
Arrayed against the Eighth Air Force was Nazi Germany's veteran, battle tested air armada the Luftwaffa. The Eighth Air Force also deployed: B-24 Liberator, P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt with its four pairs of deadly wing mounted .50 caliber machine guns, and the quick and high flying P-51 Mustang.
