Heavy losses convinced the Americans that they needed long-range escort fighters to protect their bombers.
U.S. losses from all causes were 19 bombers and 8 escort fighters.
"I'm picking up three of those monster harvest ships and ten escort fighters."
Unfortunately, the German escort fighters had climbed much higher and they were taken by surprise.
The solution was long range bombers that would carry or tow their escort fighters.
The operational method usually involved escort fighters picking up the formation on route.
It was produced both as an escort fighter and as a bomber.
The story goes on to suggest that his aircraft was mistaken by American escort fighters for the enemy and attacked.
However, the B-25's as high level bombers were flying without escort fighters.
Projects for this type were designed to overcome the great disparity in range between bombers and their escort fighters.
Wörterbuch für Luftfahrtbranche