Bombing Germany in 1943 - the 8th Air Force

The trials and tribulations of the 'Mighty Eighth' as it builds up its capacity to bomb Germany from hastily built bases in England

An iconic image from World War II. A Douglas-built B-17F-50-DL Flying Fortress, 42-3352, “Virgin’s Delight,” of the 410th Bomb Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force, over the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter factory, Marienburg, East Prussia, 9 October 1943 with bombs landing in a very precise group on the target. The aircraft commander was Lieutenant R.E. Le Pore.

The second half of 1943 was a difficult time to be flying with the 8th Air Force based in Britain. They were pushing to hit important strategic targets in Germany and beyond - but they suffered heavy casualties in doing so. Gradually things began to improve …

1st August 1943: USAAF B-24s fly into an array of defences and fighter aircraft to attack the critical Romanian oil refinery

17th August 1943: One in six of the B-17s bombing a German ball bearing plant are shot down, as the 8th Air Force tries new tactics

27th September 1943: The P-47 Thunderbolt makes its appearance alongside the B-17 bombers of the 8th Air Force in Europe, along with the P-51 Lightnings

13th November 1943: Extending the range of the escort fighters is crucial to protecting the heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force

See Also:

27th January 1943: "Germany, for the first time, was bombed with U.S. bombs, from U.S. airplanes, with U.S. crews"

16th November 1943: A long-distance USAAF raid finally finishes off the critical 'heavy water' plant in Norway

8th December 1943: The trials of a new USAAF Bomber Group in England

9th December 1943: Low on fuel after crossing the Atlantic the crew then encounter zero visibility - and B-17G Flying Fortress 42-31420 fails to arrive