 The obvious difficulty was that, with the target lying some 650 miles from Bomber Command's bases as the crow flies, or 800 miles by the best indirect tactical route, it was impossible for 200 mph bombers to fly there and back in darkness at midsummer.But the coast of North Africa was within the Lancaster's range and the USAAF agreed to receive the bombers at Blida and Maison Blanche (now Houari Boumediene Airport), two American bases in Algeria.Although the Americans were not equipped to service Lancasters properly, they would at least be able to refuel and re-arm them.