Sunka,
A quick look at the logs shows that is exactly what happened...
The skies were swarming with Bf-109Gs, Fw-190As, and Me-410s, but the 3 Squads assigned as escorts to the Buffs in Purple Group (334th, VMF-101, and LCA) shot down or drew off so many defenders that the Buffs made it in and out of the Target Area virtually intact.
The whole point was that the Bombers were able to destroy 91 objects at the Fuel Factory in 9,7,7 sector, and made it home again.
The combined escorts had 20 kills (WTG LCA with 13 Kills!) but paid a heavy price with 15 killed or captured.
Good Job Purple Group!
<S>
CptA
CO
VMF-101 Nightmares