re: "Masters of the Air" | WWII Miniseries | Apple+ Trailer

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I think you are moving the timeline ahead by about 1-2yrs on the decline of the Luftwaffe.

I think the turning point was probably in early 1944 when "Big Week" occurred in 1944. Allied fighters were available in large numbers and turned loose to range ahead of the bombers to engage the Luftwaffe before they even got close to the bombers.

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By the end of 1942 Luftwaffe was struggling and Battle of Kursk in 1943 the losses on the Eastern Front combined with a lack of production saw the decline start.

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The failure to maximize production immediately after the failures in the Soviet Union and North Africa ensured the Luftwaffe's effective defeat in the period of September 1943 – February 1944.

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Even in attempts to build back up that never made above the 60% mark for production including both fighter and bomber after early 1943. And then they struggled due to lack of pilots and lack of fuel. By the time the Red Tails entered the fray the Luftwaffe was only a shell of what it previously was. And then with the too late production of the German fighter jet with Mustangs already being introduced the Allies controlled the air.

Interesting on the Red Tails is they get credit for staying with the bombers but the bomber groups out of England under the command of Doolittle used the tactic to send the fighters ahead to meet the German fighters before they reached the bombers and then stayed around to hit targets. Very effectice on that strategy.