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This Date in History - Oct 14, 1943 - Black Thursday
Posted on 10/14/23 at 10:37 am
Posted on 10/14/23 at 10:37 am
Second Schweinfurt Raid
B-17s of the 8th US Air Force in their combat formations over the Schweinfurt ball bearing complex. (National Archives photo)
National World War II Museum
quote:
Representing the ferocity of this aerial contest was a mission flown on October 14, 1943. In what became known as “Black Thursday”, the 8th Air Force’s 1st and 3rd Air Divisions flew from bases in East Anglia and attacked German ball bearing factories 400 miles away at Schweinfurt, Germany.
the October Schweinfurt raid’s 291 bombers were escorted for only the first 200 miles of their trek. For the remaining 200 miles the bombers flew without any fighter protection. With the B-17s in their “combat box” formation approaching Aachen, the USAAF’s P-47 fighters reached the limits of their range of operation. Signaling their departure they wagged their wings at the B-17s in a friendly farewell, peeled off, and returned home. As soon as the American fighters left, the Luftwaffe struck.
Despite the accuracy of the raid, however later analysis eventually determined that German ball bearing production dropped by a mere 10 percent.
B-17s of the 8th US Air Force in their combat formations over the Schweinfurt ball bearing complex. (National Archives photo)
National World War II Museum
3
Posted on 10/14/23 at 12:58 pm to blueridgeTiger
B-17 fields of fire.
I can't imagine being that exposed to hordes of enemy fighters.
Posted on 10/14/23 at 1:04 pm to blueridgeTiger
I usually start this thread. 60 bombers shot down, dozens written off as unsalvageable.
Posted on 10/14/23 at 1:29 pm to blueridgeTiger
This WWII movie classic, based on a novel, was inspired by the Schweinfurt raids.
Posted on 10/14/23 at 9:37 pm to Mr Breeze
Almost a year later, my uncle flew on mission over the same area.
He flew with the 384th Bombardment Group as a flight engineer/top turret gunner.
He flew with the 384th Bombardment Group as a flight engineer/top turret gunner.
Posted on 10/15/23 at 9:15 pm to LongueCarabine
German ace Hans Phillipe (206 victories) described that danger of taking on American heavy bombers thusly:
"To fight against twenty Russians who want to have a bite of one, or also against Spitfires, is a joy. And one doesn't know life is not certain. But the curve into seventy Fortresses lets all the sins of one's life pass before one's eyes. And when one has convinced oneself, it is still more painful to force to it every pilot in the wing, down to the last young newcomer".
"To fight against twenty Russians who want to have a bite of one, or also against Spitfires, is a joy. And one doesn't know life is not certain. But the curve into seventy Fortresses lets all the sins of one's life pass before one's eyes. And when one has convinced oneself, it is still more painful to force to it every pilot in the wing, down to the last young newcomer".
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