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What was the primary target of the Usaaf when it bombed Schweinfurt?
The 1st Bombardment Wing, following it, would turn northeast and bomb the ball-bearing factories of Schweinfurt (where almost the entire production of bearings was centralized) and by doing so catch German fighter aircraft on the ground re-arming and refueling.
Where was the Messerschmitt factory?
The Walpersberg is a sandstone mesa on the west bank of the Saale near Kahla in Thuringia, Germany, formed around 60 million years ago. It is notable for formerly housing the REIMAHG-A aircraft factory, an underground facility for the production and assembly of the Messerschmitt Me 262 fighter jet during World War II.
What is significant about the US bombing of Germany by B 17s?
The iconic bomber of the European theater, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, carried the fight to the Germans in the skies over Europe. Even though it was the Japanese who attacked the Americans at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the official policy of the United States and its allies was to defeat Germany first.
What was the designation and nickname of the aircraft used on the Schweinfurt raid?
SCHWEINFURT (Primary) Later referred to as “Black Thursday”. 305th Bomb Group takes a beating losing 13 aircraft Missing in Action (MIA).
Why does the United States decide to bomb Germany during the day?
German Air production kept on rising during this period thus the fear was that the German would produce ever more planes to defend their skies. The Americans decided they would strike deep into Germany and attack a crucial ball bearing factory as well as a Messershmidt plant both deep in Bavaria.
What does the BF in BF 109 stand for?
Bayerische Flugzeugwerke
Originally the aircraft was designated as Bf 109 by the RLM, since the design was submitted by the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (literally “Bavarian Aircraft Works”, meaning “Bavarian Aircraft Factory”; sometimes abbreviated B.F.W., akin to BMW) during 1935.
Who made the Flying Fortress?
the Boeing Company
What, you ask, was a Flying Fortress? Developed by the Boeing Company in the 1930s, the B-17 was a four‑engine heavy bomber aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. It was a very effective weapons system, dropping more bombs during the war than any other American aircraft.
How many US bombers were shot down in ww2?
By type, losses totaled 21,452 fighters, 12,037 bombers, 15,428 trainers, 10,221 twin-engine fighters, 5,548 ground attack, 6,733 reconnaissance, and 6,141 transports.