On August 17, 1942, the U.S. 8th Air Force had flown its first mission in Europe. Exactly one year later, it undertook its most ambitious attack to date. For the first time, American heavy bomber units were to bomb two targets deep in the enemy's rear simultaneously. The first target was the Messerschmitt factory in Regensburg-Prüfening, where, among other things, the Bf 109 fighter plane was produced, as well as sea mine and torpedo casings and light metal parts for submarine turrets. The second unit was to attack Schweinfurt, which was the center of the German ball bearing industry.
