Many tales of bravery transpired that day, such that unbelievable courage was the rule rather than the exception. Unfortunately, there weren't enough survivors to write many decoration packages. He received the most chilling reply in 305 AMW history. We are the only ones left. The ground crews of the missing 13 aircraft refused to give up hope and desperately milled about the hardstands for hours until ordered to stand down.
Leadership sometimes requires that higher headquarters be disappointed.
Given the abysmal weather over England, the lack of coordination in the air, and the known, strong aerial opposition ahead, the Schweinfurt mission should have been scrubbed. Despite the odds, the Eighth Air Force had not turned back, had hit its intended target, and suffered the loss of more than 600 crewmen that day. As a result, the face of the bomber offensive changed almost immediately. Never again would the Eighth Air Force commit so many lives to deep penetrations of occupied Europe without adequate fighter protection. N.J. For more on this subject, try the Air Force Link Search Engine .