The B-17 was primarily employed in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II against German industrial and military targets. The U.S. 8th Air Force based in England complemented the RAF Bomber Command's nighttime area bombing in Operation Pointblank, to help secure air superiority over Western Europe in preparation for Operation Overlord. Despite their legendary ability to absorb damage, especially in belly-landings and ditchings, aircrews faced a 1 in 3 chance of not returning from their missions.