Strategic Air Campaign in the European Theater

Strategic Bombing CampaignStrategic Bombing Campaign1. During the Battle of Britain (1940), the Germans had attempted to defeat

the Royal Air Force. Failing in that effort they turned to attempting the destruction of Britain's industries, transportation and ports, inflicting major damage on London and other British cities.

2. During and following the Battle of Britain; the British and later in 1942 onward the Americans struck back with four-engine bombers carrying massive bomb loads into the industrial areas and cities of Germany.

3. From 1942 to the end of the war in 1945, the United States Army Air Corp “Mighty” Eighth Air Force flew B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators in daylight bombing operations against Germany and Nazi- occupied Europe.

4. The British Royal Air Force Bomber Command conducted “area bombing” by night while the Eighth Air Force “precision-bombed” targets by day.

Area Bombing or Carpet BombingArea Bombing or Carpet Bombing• Area or “Carpet Bombing” is the strategy of Area or “Carpet Bombing” is the strategy of indiscriminate indiscriminate

bombing of an enemy's cities,bombing of an enemy's cities, for the purpose of destroying for the purpose of destroying the enemy's means of producing military materiel, industry, the enemy's means of producing military materiel, industry, communications, government centers and civilian morale. communications, government centers and civilian morale.

Precision Daytime Bombing Precision Daytime Bombing • Precision Daytime Bombing, in World War Two, was not Precision Daytime Bombing, in World War Two, was not

‘precise’ since most bombs fell somewhere near or around a ‘precise’ since most bombs fell somewhere near or around a specific designated target such as a railway yard or factory. specific designated target such as a railway yard or factory. Precision bombing allowed a greater possibility of striking the Precision bombing allowed a greater possibility of striking the ‘target area’ and causing maximum damage.‘target area’ and causing maximum damage.

Early Raids 1943

• 1943 Raids Daytime bombing was 1943 Raids Daytime bombing was especially hazardousespecially hazardous. The . The British had tried it and abandoned the concept as too costly. British had tried it and abandoned the concept as too costly.

• The Eighth's B-17s and B-24s The Eighth's B-17s and B-24s suffered heavy losses over Europesuffered heavy losses over Europe, , especially after the bombing of Germany started in January 1943. especially after the bombing of Germany started in January 1943.

• The heavy bombers had the range to reach almost any target in The heavy bombers had the range to reach almost any target in Germany, but in the early months there were Germany, but in the early months there were no Allied fighters no Allied fighters that had the range to follow. that had the range to follow.

• Once the Allied fighter escorts turned back, the Eighth's bombers Once the Allied fighter escorts turned back, the Eighth's bombers were vulnerable to attacks by German Luftwaffe fighterswere vulnerable to attacks by German Luftwaffe fighters. . 

Early Raids 1943 • Defensive tactics pioneered by Colonel Curtis LeMay Defensive tactics pioneered by Colonel Curtis LeMay

and others helped but could not dissuade the German and others helped but could not dissuade the German fighters or the fierce anti-aircraft defense. fighters or the fierce anti-aircraft defense.

• During the spring, summer, and fall of  the 1943 the During the spring, summer, and fall of  the 1943 the Eighth Air Force losses of planes and men sometimes Eighth Air Force losses of planes and men sometimes reached 12% for a day's raid. reached 12% for a day's raid. – One in four airmen were being lost. At one point it became One in four airmen were being lost. At one point it became

statistically impossible for a bomber crewman to survive a 25-statistically impossible for a bomber crewman to survive a 25-mission tour of duty.mission tour of duty.

• At Schweinfurt and Regensburg, for example, on August At Schweinfurt and Regensburg, for example, on August 17 and at Schweinfurt on October 14, sixty B-17s, each 17 and at Schweinfurt on October 14, sixty B-17s, each with a crew of ten men, were shot down over enemy with a crew of ten men, were shot down over enemy territory. territory.

Strategic Bombing CampaignStrategic Bombing Campaign• What is Strategic Bombing?What is Strategic Bombing?

– The strategy of targeting and destruction of your enemy’s The strategy of targeting and destruction of your enemy’s Industrial Capabilities Industrial Capabilities (Factories), (Factories), Infrastructure Infrastructure (Roads (Roads and Railroads), and and Railroads), and Civilian Centers Civilian Centers (Cities).(Cities).

– One of the aims of war is One of the aims of war is to demoralize the enemyto demoralize the enemy, so that , so that peace or surrender becomes preferablepeace or surrender becomes preferable to continuing the to continuing the conflict.conflict.

– As strategic bombing aims to As strategic bombing aims to undermine an enemy undermine an enemy nation’s ability to wage war.nation’s ability to wage war.

Strategic Bombing CampaignStrategic Bombing CampaignRAF versus Luftwaffe 1940-1941(Battle of Britain or The RAF versus Luftwaffe 1940-1941(Battle of Britain or The

“BLITZ”)“BLITZ”)• The British and German bombers strike at each other’s industry and The British and German bombers strike at each other’s industry and

civilian centers in ‘daylight’ raids.civilian centers in ‘daylight’ raids.• Bomber loses on both sides are so great that ‘daylight’ bombing is Bomber loses on both sides are so great that ‘daylight’ bombing is

stopped and ‘nighttime’ bombing begins.stopped and ‘nighttime’ bombing begins.• Nighttime or Carpet-Area bombing reduces the loses of bombers and Nighttime or Carpet-Area bombing reduces the loses of bombers and

crews to a fraction of that during daylight raids.crews to a fraction of that during daylight raids.

American Army Air Corp 1942-1945American Army Air Corp 1942-1945• Army Air Corp bombers based from English airfields conduct their Army Air Corp bombers based from English airfields conduct their

first daylight raids in July 1942. Losses are high. first daylight raids in July 1942. Losses are high. • Daylight Bombing = Accurate Bombing. Target can usually be seen.Daylight Bombing = Accurate Bombing. Target can usually be seen.

DEFENSIVE TACTICS: DEFENSIVE TACTICS: THE COMBAT BOX THE COMBAT BOX

DEFENSIVE TACTICS: DEFENSIVE TACTICS: THE COMBAT BOXTHE COMBAT BOX

“Combat Box“:• In contrast to the loose bomber stream used in the British night missions, the

Americans' choice of a daylight strategy had required their planes to be tightly bunched for effective defense against attack.

• LeMay's combat box further strengthened the defense. It consisted of as many as 36 planes (3 squadrons of 12 planes) staggered vertically and horizontally in such a way that the bombers' guns provided maximum firepower all around, and especially against head - on attacks.

• On large raids, three of these boxes were formed into a combat wing, with one box in the lead and the others stacked 1,000 feet above and below it.

• Designed to increase bombing accuracy, LeMay placed his most proficient crews in the lead planes of the combat box. All the planes in the box dropped their bombs simultaneously-but only on cue of the lead crew. The result, at least in theory, was a closely packed pattern of hits on the target.

Combat Box Formation Combat Box Formation

Bombers in an Element Bombers in an Element Formation (3 Bombers)Formation (3 Bombers)

Bombers in a Squadron Formation Bombers in a Squadron Formation

(4 Elements = 12 bombers)(4 Elements = 12 bombers)

B-17’s in an Element Formation B-17’s in an Element Formation (3 Bombers)(3 Bombers)

B-17’s in a Squadron Formation B-17’s in a Squadron Formation (4 Elements = 12 bombers)(4 Elements = 12 bombers)

Combat Box FormationCombat Box Formation

Bombers in a Group Bombers in a Group Formation Formation (3 Squadrons = 36 bombers)(3 Squadrons = 36 bombers)

B-24’s in a Group Formation B-24’s in a Group Formation (3 Squadrons = 36 Bombers)(3 Squadrons = 36 Bombers)

““Mighty” Eighth Air ForceMighty” Eighth Air Force

Workhorses of the 8Workhorses of the 8thth

HEAVY BOMBERS!HEAVY BOMBERS!

B-17 Flying Fortress B-24 LiberatorB-17 Flying Fortress B-24 Liberator

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress• Specifications (B-17G):

      Engines: Four 1,200-hp Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone turbocharged radial piston engines       Weight: Empty 36,135 lbs., Max Takeoff 65,500 lbs.      Wing Span: 103ft. 9in.      Length: 74ft. 4in.      Height: 19ft. 1in.      Performance:            Maximum Speed at 25,000 ft: 287 mph            Cruising Speed: 182 mph            Ceiling: 35,800 ft.            Range: 2,000 miles with 6,000 lb. bomb load      Armament:            13 12.7-mm (0.5-inch) machine guns            Up to 17,600 pounds of bombs

• Number Built: ~12, 800+

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress– The B-17 Flying Fortress was the first mass-produced, four-engine US bomber in

history. It may also have been the most famous bomber of World War II, becoming the symbol of the US Army Air Forces’ daylight precision bombing campaign against Germany.

– The Boeing-designed “Fort” was an airplane of legendary toughness, surviving with, as one author put it, “wings punctured and ablaze, tail surfaces shredded, with chunks of its graceful body gouged out by cannon fire, flak, or midair collision.” Thousands returned to base torn apart by bullets, cannon shells, and flak. This characteristic gave the B-17 a certain mystique, and aircrews loved it.

– Boeing, Douglas, and Lockheed-Vega built a grand total of 12,731, of which some 4,750 were lost in action. Following World War II, the B-17 was declared obsolete, but its fame only grew. Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, Commanding General of the US Army Air Forces, said the B-17 was critical to America’s “worldwide aerial offensive.”

The B-17G crew positions

B-17’s Flying Fortresses in action

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Specs

• Specifications (B-24H/J):       Engines: Four 1,200-hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 Twin turbocharged radial piston engines.         Weight: Empty 36,500 lbs., Max Overload Takeoff 71,200 lbs.        Wing Span: 110ft. 0in.        Length: 67ft. 2in.        Height: 18ft. 0in.        Performance:            Maximum Speed at 25,000 ft: 290 mph            Cruising Speed: 215 mph            Ceiling: 28,000 ft.            Range: 2,100 miles        Armament:           10 12.7-mm (0.5-inch) machine guns in nose, upper/ventral ball turrets and tail turret, and lateral fuselage positions.           12,800 lb. maximum bomb load.

• Number Built: 18,000+

B-24 Liberator in Action

B-24 Liberator in Action

German Fighter TacticsGerman Fighter Tactics• As the Americans joined the war effort in the European theater, the B-17

"Flying Fortress" and B-24 “Liberator” formations became a familiar sight in the skies of occupied Europe.

• The bombers flew unprotected deep into occupied territory and over a well protected "Third Reich" in an effort to devastate the German production ability and thus slow down the entire war machine.

• But the Luftwaffe had air superiority and wasn't going to let the bombers hit their targets without paying a price for it.

• The Allied staff knew that the bombers would have a hard time getting to their target zones and back without any escort, but even if they wanted to send in fighters with them, there was just no fighter aircraft that had the range to follow their heavy friends all the way in and back. So for now they would have to depend on themselves for protection and repel the fierce Luftwaffe attacks with their own means.

German Fighter TacticsGerman Fighter Tactics• The B-17 and B-24 bombers were equipped with heavy machinegun stations placed

in such a way that the whole area around the bomber could be covered.

• The formations they flew made sure that the bomber crews were able to cover each other as much as possible. That way multiple bombers could target the same incoming attack to give the attacker a hard time placing a hit on the bombers.

• A close formation of B-17's was a deadly opponent, and it was nearly impossible to attack a bomber formation from the classic "six o'clock" position.

German Fighter TacticsGerman Fighter Tactics• Unless the German pilots had a death wish, there was just no way to attack the

formations from behind without sustaining substantial damage or in much cases, destruction of the attacking aircraft. One of the "less defended areas" the earlier versions of the B-17's had was the front as they didn't carry much firepower in the nose of the aircraft.

• So the FW-190, ME-109 (later on the ME-262,and others) pilots tried different approaches and found out that a frontal attack on these bomber formations minimized the time they were vulnerable to the B-17's defensive fire. During these attacks the Germans targeted the cockpits and engines of the bombers.

• It took quite some skill as the closure rate during these head-on engagements were tremendous, leaving little time to aim and fire the machineguns and cannons before they had to break off the attack and maneuver themselves to avoid a collision.

• To counter this the Allies removed the nose gun and added "chin-" and "cheek guns" giving the front of the bomber more punch.

LuftwaffeLuftwaffe

German Fighters German Fighters

The 8The 8thth AAF Enemy in the Skies AAF Enemy in the Skies of Europe!of Europe!

Messerschmitt Bf 109G Bf 109G-1:

• One 30mm MG 108 cannon firing through hub.

• Two 13mm MG 131 machine guns above engine.

• Two 20mm MG 151 cannon under wings.

Bf 109G-6:

• One 30mm MG 108 cannon firing through hub.

• One 20mm MG 151 cannon

• Two 13mm MG 131 machine guns above engine.

Focke Wulf Fw 190A/F

Fw 190A-2:• Two 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns above engine.• Two 20mm MG/FF cannon mounted in wing root.• Optional:• Two 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns in outer wings.

Fw 190A-3:• Two 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns above engine.• Two 20mm Mg 151/20 cannon mounted in wing root.• Two 20mm MG/FF cannon in outer wings.

Fw 190A-4/R6:• Two 20mm Mg 151/20 cannon mounted in wing root.• Two 210-mm WGr.21 rocket tubes

Fw 190A-8/F-8:• Two 20mm Mg 151/20 wing mounted cannon.• Two 13mm Mg 131 fuselage mounted machine guns.

Focke Wulf Fw 190D-9

Armament

• Two 13mm MG 131 above engine

• Two 20mm MG 151/20 in wing roots

Focke Wulf TA-152 ARMAMENT:

One 30mm MK 108 mounted between the cylinder heads, firing through the propeller hub

Two inboard wing mounted 20mm MG151/20

Me 262A-1a:Me 262A-1a:• Four 30mm MK 108Four 30mm MK 108

cannon in nosecannon in nose

Me 262A-1a/U1:Me 262A-1a/U1:• Two 30mm MK 103Two 30mm MK 103• Two 30mm MK 108Two 30mm MK 108• Two 20mm MG 151/20Two 20mm MG 151/20

SURPRISE!!!!! ALLIED SCUM!!! SURPRISE!!!!! ALLIED SCUM!!!

The Luftwaffe had a REAL surprise The Luftwaffe had a REAL surprise for the 8for the 8thth AAF in late 44’ AAF in late 44’

The first Jet Fighter!!The first Jet Fighter!!

GERMAN AIR DEFENSESGERMAN AIR DEFENSES

German FlakGerman FlakThe first greeting that American bomber formations had on the way to a target in The first greeting that American bomber formations had on the way to a target in Europe was from anti-aircraft "flak" batteries along the North Sea and English Channel. Europe was from anti-aircraft "flak" batteries along the North Sea and English Channel. The word "flak" is a Americanization of the German word ‘Fliegerabwehrkanone’. US The word "flak" is a Americanization of the German word ‘Fliegerabwehrkanone’. US slang for these types of guns is AAA - Anti-Aircraft Artilleryslang for these types of guns is AAA - Anti-Aircraft Artillery

German FlakGerman Flak

There one second gone the next!There one second gone the next!"I served as a fighter pilot in the 15th Air Force, 52nd Fighter Group, 5th Fighter "I served as a fighter pilot in the 15th Air Force, 52nd Fighter Group, 5th Fighter Squadron. I flew my combat missions in the North American P-51 Mustang."Squadron. I flew my combat missions in the North American P-51 Mustang."

"It was during a bomber mission when I saw the most shocking sight my eyes "It was during a bomber mission when I saw the most shocking sight my eyes had yet seen. I was flying Red-Two, the wingman for the squadron leader. We had yet seen. I was flying Red-Two, the wingman for the squadron leader. We were patrolling parallel to the side and above a bomb wing when it started its were patrolling parallel to the side and above a bomb wing when it started its run. I noticed an exceptionally large and accurate burst of flak exploding run. I noticed an exceptionally large and accurate burst of flak exploding directly in front of the lead aircraft.”directly in front of the lead aircraft.”

"The altitude of the burst was precisely calibrated. ... I thought, oh, that next "The altitude of the burst was precisely calibrated. ... I thought, oh, that next burst is going to hit right in the middle of them. Within seconds, the next burst burst is going to hit right in the middle of them. Within seconds, the next burst did exactly that. ... That poor B-24 did a sudden quarter roll to the left, away did exactly that. ... That poor B-24 did a sudden quarter roll to the left, away from the formation ... and then in a blazing explosive flash, it simply from the formation ... and then in a blazing explosive flash, it simply disappeared." disappeared."

"No parachutes, no traces, other than a few small smoking falling pieces. "No parachutes, no traces, other than a few small smoking falling pieces. Nothing. Gone. Ten men, gone. I felt as if someone had hit me in the pit of my Nothing. Gone. Ten men, gone. I felt as if someone had hit me in the pit of my stomach. I was stunned. I could visualize in my mind the young pilot and his stomach. I was stunned. I could visualize in my mind the young pilot and his crew, who only seconds before were just as much alive as I was. And now there crew, who only seconds before were just as much alive as I was. And now there were no traces left of them or their aircraft. They no longer existed." were no traces left of them or their aircraft. They no longer existed."

"I would see similar scenes of disaster several times, and I always felt a sense "I would see similar scenes of disaster several times, and I always felt a sense of personal loss when it happened, but that first B-24 is the one I'll never of personal loss when it happened, but that first B-24 is the one I'll never forget." forget."

German Flak finds its markGerman Flak finds its mark

88thth AAF Fighters could not protect AAF Fighters could not protect Bomber formations deep in to Bomber formations deep in to

Germany until late 44’Germany until late 44’

German Fighters would just simply wait till German Fighters would just simply wait till the American Fighter protection had to the American Fighter protection had to turn around for home – low on fuel. Then turn around for home – low on fuel. Then the German Fighters would attack the the German Fighters would attack the unprotected Bomber Formation.unprotected Bomber Formation.

P-47 ThunderboltP-47 Thunderbolt

P-38 LightningP-38 Lightning

In late 1944, the “Cadillac of the Sky” – the In late 1944, the “Cadillac of the Sky” – the North American P-51D Mustang could escort North American P-51D Mustang could escort Bomber Formations all the way to BERLIN!!! Bomber Formations all the way to BERLIN!!!

AAF Fighters could NOW protect Bomber AAF Fighters could NOW protect Bomber formations deep in to Germany!!formations deep in to Germany!!

P-51 MustangP-51 Mustang

Bring the Aircrews HOME!!!Bring the Aircrews HOME!!!

The The Legendary toughness Legendary toughness of the American of the American B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator Bombers brought home aircrews when the Bombers brought home aircrews when the aircraft should have fallen from the sky!! aircraft should have fallen from the sky!!

B-17 Flying Fortress Nose Damage B-17 Flying Fortress Nose Damage

1st Lt. Lawrence DeLancey managed to get his B-17 back to England after a direct hit by flak killed two of his crew over Cologne, Germany.

Source: Air War Against Hitler's Germany by Stephen W. Sears

Captain Allyn Lewis landed his B-17 "Recall" in Belgium after its nose (and the nose art) was shot away over Germany. His crew all bailed out safely and made it back to Allied held territory. The two

men in the nose were able to scuttle out the hatch (see the missing door in the photo). SOURCE: Rocky Raymond, nephew of Capt. Allyn Lewis submitted this photo.

Tinkertoy, 'jinx ship' of the 381st BG, after the October 8, 1943 mission to Bremen, Germany. Men point to holes made by 20mm cannon

shells which decapitated the pilot.SOURCE: The Mighty Eighth by Roger A. Freeman

B-17 Flying Fortress Fuselage Damage B-17 Flying Fortress Fuselage Damage

The B-17 "All American" (414th Squadron, 97BG) flown by Lieutenant Kendrick R. Bragg, its tail section almost severed by a collision with an enemy fighter, flew 90 minutes back

to its home base, landed safely and broke in two after landing.SOURCE: Flying Forts by Martin Caiden

This B-17 took a direct flak hit in the waist over Debrecen, Hungary which killed three crewmen and wounded two others. Threatening to come apart in mid-air the pilot nursed it home to

a safe landing, but the weakened fuselage collapsed on touchdown.

Text and photo source: Air Classics magazine, July 1972

Another view of the flak hit to "Little Miss Mischief", this shows the mangled fuselage and ball turret. Incredibly, the ball turret gunner's only injuries were the loss of a little toe and frostbite from the high

altitude.SOURCE: B-17 In Action by Squadron/Signal Publications

The B-17 flown by Lieutenant Kenneth R. Bragg, its fuselage and tail almost severed, made its way home.

SOURCE: B-17 Flying Fortress by William Hess

B-17 Flying Fortress Tail Damage

This B-17 had it's rudder and part of the tail removed by the propeller of another

B-17. SOURCE: Duel For the Sky by Herbert Molloy Mason,

Jr.

"Hang the Expense Again III" was seen heavily damaged, going down

over France. The pilot, however, was able to bring it out of a dive and struggled back to his home

field. The blast damage blew the tail gunner out of the aircraft but he

survived the incident.SOURCE: Flying Forts by Martin

Caiden, additional material by Ray Cary

This 385th BG B-17 was called Honkey Tonk Sal. The aircraft was salvaged

despite the massive tail damage received on a March 15 1944 mission.

SOURCE: contributed by Bill Varnedoe

This remarkable series of photographs was taken during a

bombing run on May 19, 1944 over Berlin. It shows a mishap which occurred when the bombs from one Flying Fortress struck and damaged one of the horizontal stabilizers of the tail of a B-17

which was beneath it. In this photo bombs are seen dropping toward

the Fortress. The first bomb is about to strike the left stabilizer.

Bf 109 pilot Franz Stigler and Bf 109 pilot Franz Stigler and B-17 pilot Charlie Brown's B-17 pilot Charlie Brown's

first meetingfirst meeting

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8EkmyoG83Q