Yeah, that was the first monster strike by the 8th AF. It was originally scripted very well in planning but because of ground delays due to weather, it turned into a real Cluster F*ck when the 2 strike forces couldn't launch at the same time. That force ended up having 24 (out of 146) bombers shot down and dozens severely damaged. The overall commander of the group that the 100th flew with was Curtis LeMay who was a real firebrand. A few months after this mission, he was promoted from colonel to general and transferred to the Pacific where he assumed command of the 20th AF (B-29 outfit) and carried out the bombings of the Japanese homelands from bases on Guam, Tinian, and Saipan.
He later became George Wallace's VP running mate in the 1968 presidential election as a third party candidate.
One more little tidbit to add, while browsing through Donald Miller's book today, I learned that the lead navigator of the 100th BG, Harry Crosby, who has been featured in all 3 episodes so far, attended the University of Iowa. From the book, it says "One week after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Harry Crosby left the Master of Arts program in writing at the University of Iowa and joined the Army Air Corps..." (pg. 167) It goes on to describe Crosby's early days in the AAC and the group's eventual transfer for more training in Sioux City, IA from Wendover, Utah.
