The USA had zero combat experiencewith the B-17 in 1941 and
sold the B-17 on the basis of the self defending bomber. It failed
in 1941 and again when the USAAF tried it in 1943.

Yeah. Well we expect our political leaders to keep us out of war [excepting
the present blithering idiot in the White House] . But you're implying that
the US should have been bailing you out a long time before 1941, I am thinking.

The Americans were ultimately able to make daylight precision bombing pay off,
although not the way they intended, that is true.

Walt