Chapter 7 The Big Picture: A Short History of World War II | 147 |
The Long Formation The Air War In Europe
The air war raging over Western Europe turns in the Allies’ favor in 1944. Three factors contribute to this turnabout. First, both the RAF and USAAF finally have enough
During January, the USAAF is still losing too many bombers; during a raid on Oschersleben, more than 75 of the 238 bombers are shot down, but the Allies’ focus on aircraft manufacturing is beginning to hurt the German war effort. In February, the Luftwaffe tries to counterpunch by bombing targets in Great Britain; the effort, largely ineffective, is known as the “Little Blitz.”
On February 20, the “Big Week” begins. The USAAF launches major attacks against the German aircraft industry. Over 900 bombers and 700 fighter escorts (most of them Mustangs) hit targets in Brunswick, Leipzig, and Regensburg. Another 800 bombers hit aircraft manufactur- ing targets on February 25. Between February 20 and 26, medium bombers and fighters attack Luftwaffe installations in France, Belgium, and Holland; many German aircraft are destroyed in the air, on the ground, and even while being transported to the front. The Luftwaffe is now clearly taking a beating. By the summer of 1944, German air forces are so reduced that Allied bombers and fighters roam freely across the skies of Europe.
The air superiority gained by the Allies during the first few months of 1944 is critical to the success of Operation Overlord. Air superiority means the Allies can hit strategic and
tactical targets that reduce the Germans’ ability to repel the invasion and move reinforcements to the front. Throughout the spring of 1944, heavy bombers continue to pound the German aircraft and fuel industries. However, many heavy bombers are diverted to other targets, such as railroads and bridges. Medium bombers and fighters add their weight to the attack. Some fighter squadrons lose more pilots to debris blown into the air from exploding locomotives, ammunition dumps, and airplanes in hangers than to enemy fire.
