Aircraft engine configuration changed in WWII

[Eddylizard]

Here's one I heard a while back,, and haven't been able to track down. I don't know if any of it is true, so I'll repeat what I was told.

The story goes that prop driven aircraft with engines on the wings normally have the propellers on each wing rotating in opposite directions, so that there is no "pull"to either side (gyroscopic or centripetal force?) The engines have to be built to be clockwise or counterclockwise.

However in WWII due to logistical and manufacturing problems, all replacement engines were supplied in one sort only, rotating in one direction only. So one would end up with say clockwise engines on both wings.

This apparently forced bomber pilots to use hard rudder, to keep the aircraft flying straight.

Now I don't know if having non-contrarotating airscrews on the wings could pull a plane to one side, but I just can't imagine an aircrew being forced to fly to Germany and back holding the rudder.

Anyone heard this, or have any ideas?