The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1942-11-26
FOUR-MOTORED BOMBERS

1t is interesting to northern Montanans to learn, as they die
recently through official channels, that some time in the not
too distant future we will hear the roar of some of America
mightest aircraft, as this locality becomes the training ground
OF our four-motored bombers.
The only proving ground for combat aircraft is actual COM
bat. We have learned that, sometimes to our sorrow, in certain
categories. But not so of our fourlmotored bombers. The office
OF war information, in a recent exhaustive survey OF United
States planes, had this to say:
Actual employment of the BIZ over Europe has exceeded
even the fondest expectations of its American proponents. 1t
has shown that the BIZ is capable of high-altitude day bombing
of such precision that it astounded Allied observers. Combat
has proved the great frepower of the Flying Fortress as well
as its inherent toughness under enemy attack, while its ability
to operate at high attitudes cuts down its vunerability to anti
aircraft fire ...
"n the October 10 raid over France the largest and most
damaging daylight raid ever staged over Europe lis Flying
Fortresses and Liberators accompanied by Allied fighters proved
their ability to fight their way through to a target and back
again against the large and fierce opposition of the Nazis' best
Messerschmitts and Focke-Wulfs. We lost only four of our
bombers while more than 100 enemy planes were destroyed or
damaged"
And, the survey adds, the Consolidated B24, or Liberator,
is making much the same record for itself. l.
Some indication of the type of training we may expect in
this section is given in a slightly more detailed description of
the Flying Fortress:
"A tried and thoroughly tested model with an unequaled
combat record -four engines, air-cooed turbo-supercharged),
the BY is essentially a high-altitude, long-range bomber de-
signed for precision destruction of restricted targets at great e
ranges. Often compared, sometimes unfavorably, with the a
British Lancaster, it is not in the same category. While it is v
primarily designed for day bombing, it is easily convertible in
the field for night bombing at lower attitudes and shorter +
ranges, with greater loads. This dual function is not possible
with the specially designed, slower night bombers e.
"The fact is that it DID is one of the most heavily armed
in the world Gunners in Flying Fortresses have shown that
its destructive, high-rate, 50-caliber machine guns have greatly
extended the effective range of the bombers defensive fire"
So great was this range, observers in France said, that German
fighters were doomed long before they flew close enough to
use their own guns. The Consolidated B-24 has also shown
itself a toptlight performer, especially over Northern Africa and b
the AleutianS. L.
This, then, is the type of plane that will soon become familiar, u
at least by sight, to many Montanans. There is another factor S
that is important; it is the teamwork of the four-motor bomber e
crew. Soon we will have gathering here pilots, navigators,
bombardiers, flight engineers and gunners. Like early season o.
football squads, they have been through the fundamentals. Now u
they will utilize their training as a group. Now they will operate
as a team and a huge section of this state will be the scrimmage
field. Not long after, they will be in the game, the greatest
game and the toughest game of all. 1t will be gratifying to every
Montanan to realize that our state is the locale for planes and
crews that are building a proud record for America.