However, B-17s were operating at heights too great for most A6M Zero fighters to reach, and the B-17's heavy gun armament was more than a match for lightly protected Japanese aircraft.
Ikke desto mindre viste det sig at B-17 kunne operere i større højde end de fleste A6M Zero jagerfly kunne nå, og den tunge defensive bevæbning på B-17 var mere end et match for de kun let beskyttede japanske fly.