It certainly was a screw-up. What I don't understand is that if the
formation had launched later in the morning, they would have gotten to
China later at night. What chance did they ever have of a safe
landing?

According to everything I've read or seen on TV, with the beacon at the Chinese
airfield off, it was nearly impossible to find. Apparently it was a small
strip, intentionally camouflaged to hide it from the air.


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"