Air Superiority is Gained. Over Europe and the Pacific

During the winter of 1943-1944 the USAAFgrewat a tremen­dous rate in Europe, far exceeding its losses, and launched a major assault on the German aircraft factories in February, 1944. This became known later as “Big Week” and put a major, and lasting, crimp into the Luftwaffe’s ability to defend Germany. With the ad­vent of the long-ranging Merlin engined P-51 escort fighter, the Eighth Air Force B-17 and B-24 bombers were able to cover the length and breadth of Germany in raids of up to 1,000 aircraft.

At the same time, the Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces in the Mediterranean area were advancing up Italy and making major at­
tacks on eastern Europe and southern Germany, primarily against the all-important oil producing plants needed to keep German forces and industry active.

However, the major effort in Europe was the preparation for the long-awaited Allied invasion of France, culminating in the land­ings on June 6, known hereafter as “D-Day”. The Ninth Air Force in England roamed far and wide over France and the Low Coun­tries, attacking the entire transportation system to prevent swift German reactions against the vulnerable Allied forces on the beaches of northern France.

Boeing B-17G-30-DL, 42-38091, showing the early 1944 Dark Olive Drab and Neutral Gray finish, with the blue outlined star and bar insignia. (USAF via Gerry R. Markgraf)

Boeing B-17G-70-BO, 43-37716, aircraft “Five Grand“ was in natural metal with signatures all over it, prior to unit allocation. It became aircraft BX-H of the 338th BS, 96th BG, 45th CBW, 3rd Air Div, (USAF via Gerry R. Markgraf)

All of this effort resulted in a virtual lack of Luftwaffe action over France on D-Day and ensured the success of the landings. German attempts to cause destruction and panic in England, using the new V-l flying bombs and the V-2 rockets, brought intense USAAF and RAF attacks on their launch sites. This blunted the effect and the new weapons had no substantial effect on the Allied

New Boeing B-I7G, aircraft “I’ll Get By’ and crew prior to start of mission. Believed to be from the 390th BG, 13th CBW, 3rd Air Div, Eighth Air Force, England, Spring 1944. (USAF)

advance across France, Paris being liberated on August 25. More important was the German introduction of the Me-163 rocket fighter in July, followed by the Me-262 jet fighter in October, but various technical problems with both types prevented either one from be­coming an effective weapon (note: the Me-262 is generally cred­ited with being the first jet fighter in action, but the RAF Gloster Meteor was used in squadron strength against the V-l bombs, be­ginning in August).

The introduction of these new weapons did little to prevent the massive Eighth and Fifteenth Air Force attacks against the shrink­ing Nazi empire, and by the end of the year the Allies were on the borders of Germany, victory seeming to be imminent. The contri­bution of air power to the Allied successes was underscored by the surprise Nazi attack in December, the Battle of the Bulge. This was launched in extremely bad weather which kept the allied air forces grounded for several days. However, when the weather opened up, the huge air attacks on the German forces helped to completely turn the tables. On December 24, the Eighth Air Force put up 2,046 heavy bombers and 853 escort fighters in their biggest mission ever against the Nazis.

In the Pacific, the Allies had fought their way up the long is­land chain leading to Japan, culminating in the landings on the Phil­ippines. The naval battle of the Leyte Gulf resulted in the virtual destruction of the Japanese navy, together with their lack of air power. In Burma, the British advance took them close to the cap­ture of Mandalay, aided by the USAAF Tenth Air Force.

All of these victories were bought at a heavy cost and during 1944, the USAAF lost 11,618 aircraft in Europe and the Mediterra­nean, together with 1,671 in the Pacific area. This was out of a total peak strength of 79,908 aircraft on July 1944. This included

US Army Air Forces specifications in use, revised, or issued, by date and version, during 1944. The letters indicate a letter revision of a spec., such as T. O. 07-1-1 A. The numbers indicate an amendment to an earlier version of a spec., such as Amendment No. 6 to Spec. 24114.

more than 12,165 B-17. B-24, and B-29 heavy bombers, 8,341 medium and light bombers, 15,644 fighters, 9,433 transports, and 27,907 trainers, by far the biggest air force ever seen. It stands as a staggering industrial and military achievement.

During 1944, the rapid changes in the war situation led to the following changes in the marking and camouflaging of USAAF aircraft’.

Camouflage no longer required on combat aircraft in Europe, Janu­ary.

Gloss Black paint overall finish ordered for P-70 and P-61 night fighters, January.

Radio Call number colors changed to black, international orange, or insignia red for various types of aircraft, March.

ANA Bulletin No. 157A listed all AAF, Navy, and British equiva­lent or superseded colors and changed Insignia Red to Bright Red, March.

T. O. 07-1-1 gives first instructions for the removal of camouflage, April.

Camouflage to be continued on Douglas A-20H and A-20K air­craft, July.

T. О. 07-1-1B added camouflage requirements for troop carriers and transports, and new markings for war-weary and surplus air­craft, August.

PT trainer aircraft to be finished in aluminum with international orange bands around fuselage and wings, August.

Camouflage deleted from Republic P-47s destined for Britain and France, November.

Boeing B-17F-95-BO, 42-30267, aircraft “Hustling Huzzy”, of the 341st BS, 97th BG, is still displaying the red outline to the star insignia on January 10,1944. It was part of a Fifteenth Air Force formation on the way to bomb targets in Sofia, Bulgaria, in support of the advancing Soviet armies. (Nick Williams)

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Boeing B-17G-75-BO, 42-38061 and 42-31533, of the 535th BS, 381st BG, 1st CBW, 1 Air Division, Eighth Air Force, display the latest markings on their way to targets in Germany.(USAF)

Boeing B-17G-35-BO, 42-32025, aircraft VP-Pof the 533rd BS, 381st BG, 1st CBW (red tail, wing tip, and horizontal stabilizer), 1st Air Div (black triangle), Eighth Air Force. Spring 1944, Behind Is B-I7G-20-BO, 42-31570, aircraft VP-W, of the same unit. Note marked difference of the Dark Olive Drab on the two aircraft’s fuselages and the large oil stains from all engines, extending back over part of the horizontal tail. (CSAF via Gerry R. Markgraf)

Boeing B-17F-25-BO, 41-24577, aircraft VK-A, “Hell’s Angels”, of the 358th BS, 303rd BG, flies over its base at Molesworth, England, enroute to the USA to lead a war bond fund drive. It is liberally covered with names and signatures from the base personnel. (USAF)