WW2 Bombing in Europe

I am reading a book about the 8th Air Force's operations in Europe. The author really has a knack to communicate on a human level what was happening to the airmen who manned the planes. The following is a few excerpts concerning the mission to Schewinfort where the ball bearing factories are located.

Before every mission the intelligence officer would give a briefing on what to expect. "At the end of his briefing, the officer says to the men:"

"This could be a milk run! When you land, come immediately to the debriefing rooms. The Major of course is lying. He knows it, the pilots and gunners all know it. They are all too painfully aware that at this stage of the game a milk run into Germany, this deep into Germany, just isn't in the cards". "

"The Major is a liar, and no one blames him for it. His briefing has been honest in every respect but this one, that he has played down the mission as routine. This is not a routine mission and it cannot possible be anything but hell for most of the people who are leaving England for the east".

"So with the lie hanging in the air, unquestioned and unopposed, the men start to leave. Some of them wait, and they assemble in little groups that collect silently in the corners of the room, where men slip to their knees before their chaplains - Protestant, Catholic, and Jew".

 

Black Thursday - The Schweinfurt Raid by Martin Caidin.