carried out Action by boeing b-17 flying fortress heavy bombers of the u.s. army air forces on august 17 , 1943 , it was an ambitious plan Arranging to cripple Destroying the german aircraft industry .

supporting Supporting the carrier aircraft were eight b-17 bombers of the 435th bombardment squadron of the 19th bombardment group from garbutt field , townsville , australia and eight royal australian air force hudson bombers of no .