Originally Posted by
Excargodog
The Eighth Air Force flying B-17s out of England had a loss rate of about 5% PER MISSION. Not all those people died, some became POWs, but either way your chance of coming back to base on average was 95%. Now multiply that by a 25 mission tour and that comes out to be (0.95)^25 or roughly 28% of getting through without dying or becoming a POW. Not surprising they were a little crazy. It was likely a job requirement.
Saw some data recently - 8th Air Force - 37% killed, 40% wounded or POW. IDK if that meant 23% completed their 25 missions. How were wounded who recovered back to flying status counted? Does the 40% mean 'wonded and unable to fly afterwards"? Beast me. Regardless, at best, 23% flew and were never injured, killed, or a POW.