Your reward is flying a plane 2x faster than the opposition, at 2x the alt the opposition is comfortable flying, with quick snapshot kill ability against ligher more fragile planes.
My group got sent in TBMs with no escorts against massive high alt N1K2 defenders... Never even got feet dry before being wiped out.
Count your blessings that you GET to run home because lack of fuel. That means you control all aspects of the engagement and can simply leave whenever you want.