"Consolidated B-24 Liberators of the U.S. 8th AF may be seen in this formation, made during the greatest attack of the air war to date. This mission was carried out by a force of 1600 heavies, against Hanau and other rail centers in Western Germany, Monday 11-Dec-44. The bombers were accompanied to their targets by 800 8th AF fighters and at the same time, other US strategic AF heavy bombers and fighters of the Italy based 15th AF were in the air over Austria to make a grand total of approx. 3,200 planes hurled against German targets."