The Miracle of Saint-Nazaire Air Facts Journal During World War II, the skies over Europe were a brutal battleground where death and devastation were constant companions. Day after day, countless Allied airmen climbed into their bombers, fully aware they might never return from their missions. In total, more than 26,000 members of the U.S. 8th Air Force were killed in combat, and over 47,000 were wounded. The average life expectancy for a bomber crew was less than 15 missions. The post The Mi...