U.S. THUNDERBOLT FIGHTERS ESCORT BOMBERS OVER GERMANY. A formation of U.S.

U.S. THUNDERBOLT FIGHTERS ESCORT BOMBERS OVER GERMANY. A formation of U.S. Army Air Forces Thunderbolt fighter planes form a protective cover for Allied bombers en route from bases in England to blast enemy military installations in Germany and occupied Europe. The long-range, high-altitude Thunderbolt is the fastest and most heavily-armed U.S. fighter plane. In combat over Europe, the Thunderbolt both outguns and outdives the German Focke-Wulf FW 190 fighter. Thunderbolts also are battling the Japanese Air Force in the Pacific. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.