Compare and contrast the B-17 and B-29 bombers during World War II as far as their effectiveness and protection.

Both of these bombers were so highly effective that it is
very difficult to say that one or the other was more effective.  This is particularly
the case because they were used in such different ways during the
war.

The B-29, you could say, was more effective because of
its much greater range and its greater payload.  This is, of course, what allowed it to
bomb Japan from as far away as the Mariana Islands.  This is not to say, however, that
the B-17 was not effective.  The B-17 was quite effective for use in the much smaller
distances found in the European Theater.

One of the things
that made the B-17 so effective was its toughness.  This goes to the degree of
protection that it offerred.  The defensive gunnery on the B-17 was formidable, as was
its general ability to continue to fly after having been hit rather severely.  The B-29
was also very effective in protecting its crews.  This was particularly true because of
the fact that it flew so high and so fast.  These capabilities made it very difficult
for Japanese defenses to successfully attack it.

Overall,
both of these bombers were hugely effective.  The B-17 was responsible for the majority
of the weight of bombs dropped by the US in WWII.  The B-29 was the bomber that helped
to end the war with Japan through the "carpet bombing" of Japanese cities.  They were
both highly effective at both attacking the enemy and protecting their own
crews.