The B-17 Flying Fortress epitomized the American airpower for most of
the Second World War. It was by far the most effective weapon to carry
out the strategic, daylight bombing campaign in Europe. The battles
fought by B-17 crews during raids on such tough targets as Schweinfurt,
Berlin or Ploesti were nothing short of epic. The combined effort of the
two US Army Air Forces, 8th and 15th, stationed in England and Italy
respectively, eventually denied the enemy the means to wage war and
sealed the fate of the European Axis powers and their allies.