Two airmen of the 379th Bomb Group in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortress returns from toughest day raid with one of its engines on fire. Some of the fiercest air battles of the war were fought yesterday, January 11, when Fortresses and Liberators attacked vital targets in North West Germany in great strength. Swarms of fighters came up to challenge them, the defences including planes trailing bombs on long cables, rocket planes and rocket flak. One of the Fortresses, 'Rocky', reached home with its no.2 engine feathered and its no.4 engine on fire. Associated Press photo shows: Lt. James Smith, of 86 E.13th Street, Chicago Heights, Ill, pilot of the Fortress 'Rocky', is here seen after landing from yesterday's (January 11) raid on North West Germany. It was his 16th mission. Smith said that the fighters were as thick as over Schweinfort - if not thicker.' (Passed for publication - General Section, Press & Censorship Bureau)