1917:. On the day after the raid, 23 February, the Allied air force launched an investigation: all air raids planned for that day were canceled (also due to poor weather conditions), and all flyers and briefing officers involved were held on the base and questioned. In London, a diplomatic incident occurred between the American, British and Dutch military and civilian commanders and officials about what had happened, who should be granted access to which information, and in which order, and who should ultimately be held responsible, creating distrust within the Allied leadership for some time. The American military command was relatively late in drawing lessons from the disorderly air raid, which had struck an ally's civilian population hard. Not until mid-May 1944, orders were given to seek out targets of opportunity at least 30 kilometers away from the Netherlands' border. Nazi German propaganda attempted to exploit the tragedy in order to counter pro-Allied sympathies amongst the Dutch civilian population, but these efforts appear to have been ineffective, and perhaps even counterproductive.
1887:
678:
responded by pulling almost all of their fighter forces back into
Germany itself, to attack US bombers where US fighters could not support the bombers due to lack of range. The Americans concluded they needed long range escort fighters, and examined all aircraft they had that could fit the role. As early as July 1943 the North American P-51 Mustang appeared the most promising, thanks to its range, high altitude performance, and reliability. Over the winter they re-equipped many of their fighter squadrons as more Mustangs arrived and modifications allowed existing fighters to have a longer range. The Eighth Air Force was increasing in size as more complete bombardment and fighter groups arrived from the US. The Luftwaffe was increasing in size but the quality of training of their pilots was less than that of the new American units.
726:
order to achieve the objective, U.S. commander
Frederick L. Anderson was prepared to sacrifice three quarters of all planes and crew (meaning 736 bombers, from a total of 981 bombers). The Allies proceeded to gather intelligence on all parts of German industry involved in producing parts, engines, wings and airframes, as well as assembling factories. However, operational success was foreseen to heavily depend on several consecutive days of good weather, meaning ideal cloud covers between about 600 and 4,000 metres above England, but no clouds above the target areas in Germany. As such a situation was extremely rare, leadership decided to launch the campaign anyway as soon as the forecast showed the smallest signs of acceptable flying weather.
1853:(used for German arms transport), was barely damaged. In Enschede, 40 civilians were killed, 41 were injured, and hundreds of homes destroyed, causing 700 civilians to become homeless; the likely target of opportunity, in the middle of a residential area, was a small factory producing components for German missiles. In Arnhem, 57 civilians were killed and 86 homes destroyed, affecting 464 families in the residential areas of Rijnwijk and Malburgen; the target of opportunity was the Arnhem Rubber Factory (Arufa) on industrial terrain Het Broek, whose production capacity was largely in service of the German war effort.
314:
303:
250:
239:
348:
284:
273:
194:
219:
336:
325:
261:
1760:
establishment strength to 65 percent. The
Fifteenth Air Force lost 14.6 percent (90 bombers) of establishment strength, and RAF Bomber Command lost 131 bombers (5.7 percent) during Big Week. Although these numbers are high in absolute terms, the numbers of bombers involved in the missions were much higher than previously, and the losses represented a much smaller percentage of the attacking force. The earlier Schweinfurt missions had cost the force nearly 30 percent of their aircraft per mission.
206:
1699:), was to Leipzig; (B-17s of the US VIII bombed Leipzig-Mockau Airfield earlier the same day) but it suffered as most of the fighters had not been drawn off by a diversion raid laying mines off Kiel. In support of the main raid de Havilland Mosquitos bombed nightfighter airfields in the Netherlands and a further 15 made a diversionary raid on Berlin. The earlier variant of Halifaxes used on this raid suffered high losses and were removed from operations over Germany afterwards.
1054:
1792:(fighter force) than the loss of 355 aircraft was the loss of nearly 100 pilots (14 percent) who had been killed. In contrast to the raids of the previous year, the US losses were replaceable, while the Germans were already hard pressed due to the war in the East. Although not fatal, Big Week was an extremely worrying development for the Germans. The lack of skilled pilots due to an attrition in the three-front war was the factor eroding the capability of the
896:
510:
27:
1796:. According to McFarland & Newton (1991), the purported Allied strategy of sacrificing bombers in order to lure and kill Luftwaffe fighters was very effective. Freed of close bomber escort duty, Allied fighters, particularly the P-51s, inflicted severe losses on the Luftwaffe. German aircraft and pilot losses could not be sufficiently replaced. As a result, the Allies achieved air superiority by the time of the D-Day invasion.
1743:-equipped Mosquito. The major raid, by 734 aircraft split into two attacks, was on Schweinfurt, home of Germany's main ball-bearing factories. American B-17s had bombed the factories the previous day. At the same time there were diversionary raids and misdirections: 15 Mosquitos bombed airfields in the Netherlands, 8 Mosquitos bombed Kiel and 7 Aachen. The diversions and splitting the raid in two kept bomber losses down.
682:
be at risk of losing the air war without firing a shot; if they did respond, they would meet the new long-range fighters in the process. The
Germans needed no provocation: they were ready to meet a raid with their new forces. However, the increased weight of armaments in their fighters reduced performance, making them easy targets for the new and unexpected Mustangs.
1526:; 109 hit the primary target, 10 hit a road junction E of Yerville, 7 hit a rail siding SW of Abbeville and 6 hit targets of opportunity; 7 B-17s are lost and 75 damaged; casualties are 5 WIA and 63 MIA. Escort is provided by 81 P-38s, 94 P-47s and 22 P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the P-51s claim a single German aircraft on the ground.
607:
2,000–3,000 planes per month, so the need to diminish the enemy's manufacturing potential soon was evident. Therefore, massive Allied air raids on German industrial areas had been conducted throughout 1943, but to little effect; the results were far lower than the expectations. German industrial complexes of multiple major factories (such as in
2002:
destroying railway supply lines to and within France to reduce German capacity to respond to invasion on the French coast. Allied airmen were well on the way to achieving air superiority over all of Europe. Russell (1999) stated: "While they continued strategic bombing, the USAAF turned its attention
1832:
reached their targets, as all of them were recalled early to prevent disaster. The remaining B-24s received the order to return to
England much later, and efforts to turn the formation around caused chaos and fragmenting; on the way back to base, they looked for targets of opportunity, and eventually
1623:
191 B-26s bomb Venlo, Saint-Trond, and
Cambrai/Epinoy Airfields, France in a morning raid as a diversion in support of the VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers over Germany; 36 abort, mainly because of a navigational error. 164 B-26s dispatched against military targets in France during the afternoon are
1260:
Escort for
Mission 228 is provided by 69 P-38s, 542 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 68 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the P-47s claim 19-3-14 Luftwaffe aircraft, two P-47s are lost, two are damaged beyond repair, three
725:
with all these aircraft would lead to a horrible massacre amongst Allied flight crews. Therefore, the primary goal of the Allied airforce became the destruction of the factories producing these aircraft.' Planners estimated that the Allies would lose between 7% and 18% of their aircraft every day. In
681:
By early 1944, both forces had laid their plans and were waiting to put them into action. The US, confident in a fighter advantage, planned missions that would demand a German response. They decided to make massive raids on the German fighter factories. If the
Germans chose not to respond, they would
677:
combat wings, was working well. Over the winter of 1943–44 they continued this program, adding to their heavy fighter ranks and developing heavier armaments for all of their aircraft. Both sides observed that US fighters did a good job at protecting bombers and destroying German fighters; the
Germans
1920:
Brinkhuis (1984) stated that several Allied actions during
Operation Argument allowed the Allies to achieve air superiority, which would make subsequent bombing raids less risky and chaotic, and more effective. The tragic failures of the 22 February bombings of Dutch cities no one had ever heard of,
763:
and the real role of the Allied bombers was to be used and sacrificed as bait. Van Esch (2012) stated: 'However, also to the surprise of Allied analysts, German aircraft industries were still able to increase production of fighter aircraft, even after three years of strategic bombing. In this war of
1422:
B-17s attack Petershausen marshaling yard and Regensburg aircraft factory in Germany and the air depot at Zagreb, Yugoslavia; a large force of B-24s hits Regensburg aircraft plants about the same time as the B-17 attack; other B-24s pound the town of Sibenik and the harbor at Zara, Yugoslavia; they
1284:
18 B-26s bomb Coxyde Airfield, Belgium; weather causes almost 190 aborts. The Ninth Air Force's Pathfinder Squadron (provisionally activated on 13 February) takes part in this operation, its first venture into combat. 185 aircraft scheduled to attack other airfields in the Netherlands and France in
745:
fighters avoided Allied fighters and would simply ignore the fighter sweeps. Thus, the Allies could not entice the Luftwaffe fighters to engage. Second, during escort missions, Allied fighters remained in close escort formation with bombers. This tactic limited bomber casualties but it also reduced
1823:
22 February: 252 B-24s were readied for combat, but due to various formation problems, only 177 took off, and only 74 saw combat action. During formation, several accidents occurred resulting in crashes and the deaths of dozens of crew members. Because of this, and the fact that low-hanging clouds
1658:
directly contributed to the attacks on the aircraft industry in Schweinfurt. Some 734 bombers were dispatched on the night of 24/25 February, and 695 reported they struck the target. However, analysis of the photographs taken during the raid showed that only 298 of the aircraft dropped their bombs
1643:
Continuing coordinated attacks with the Eighth Air Force on European targets, B-17s with fighter escorts pound Regensburg aircraft factory; enemy fighter opposition is heavy. Other B-17s hit the air depot at Klagenfurt, Austria and the dock area at Pola, Italy. B-24s attack Fiume, Italy marshaling
1599:
Escort is provided by 73 P-38s, 687 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 139 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 1-2-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the P-47s claim 13-2-10 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-47 is lost and 6 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA; the P-51s claim 12-0-3
1377:
These missions are escorted by 67 P-38s, 535 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s, and 57 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 1 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 6 are damaged; the P-47s claim 39-6-15 Luftwaffe aircraft, 8 P-47s are lost and 12 damaged, 8
1152:
are dispatched to aviation industry targets at Brunswick, Wilhelmtor and Neupetritor; 76 hit the primary, 87 hit Gotha, 13 hit Oschersleben, 58 hit Helmstedt and 10 hit other targets of opportunity; they claim 36-13-13 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-24s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 37 damaged;
661:
on 14 October 1943, remembered as "Black Thursday" while October 1943 as a whole as a "black month"), proved even more bloody; of the 291 aircraft on the mission, 60 were lost, with a further 17 damaged beyond repair. The self-defence concept appeared flawed enough, and losses among the bombers
733:
of 21 January 1943, according to which the Allied bombers' "Primary object will be the progressive destruction and dislocation of the German military, industrial, and economic system, and the undermining of the morale of the German people to a point where their capacity for armed resistance is
1759:
During Big Week, the Eighth Air Force lost 97 B-17s, 40 B-24s and another 20 scrapped due to damage. The operational strength of the Eighth Air Force bomber units had dropped from 75 percent at the start of the week to 54 percent, and its fighter units strength had dropped from 72 percent of
1364:
177 B-24s are dispatched but they are recalled when 100 miles (160 km) inland; since they were over Germany, they sought targets of opportunity but strong winds drove the bombers over The Netherlands and their bombs hit Enschede, Arnhem, Nijmegen and Deventer; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe
606:
In the summer of 1943, the Luftwaffe had about 2,200 fighters available on average, and several bombing raids by the USAAF and RAF were repeatedly interrupted by 500 German fighters or more. Allied intelligence also indicated that the German aircraft industry was capable of producing about
1871:
Although the Allied goal of achieving air superiority was furthered, the Allied bombing of the German aircraft industry was ineffective. Moreover, the Allied losses were more severe than the German losses. On top of that, the high Dutch civilian death toll was a humanitarian catastrophe.
638:, allowing for overlapping fire. Throughout 1942 the concept seemed solid enough, as the loss rate had been under 2%. However, the Luftwaffe reacted by sending more planes armed with heavier weaponry to oppose the raids, with increasing success, as evidenced by the example of the two
734:
fatally weakened" with "The German aircraft industry" being the second of the six primary of objectives, after "German submarine construction yards." The idea was that disrupting the German aircraft production capacity was the best way to reduce German aerial combat potential.
1251:
281 B-17s are dispatched to Diepholz Airfield and Brunswick; 175 hit the primaries and 88 hit Ahlhorn and Vörden Airfields and Hannover; they claim 2-5-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; five B-17s are lost, three damaged beyond repair and 36 damaged; casualties are 20 KIA, 4 WIA and 57
1586:
268 B-17s are dispatched to aviation industry targets at Augsburg and the industrial area at Stuttgart; 196 hit Augsburg and targets of opportunity and 50 hit Stuttgart; they claim 8-4-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 13 B-17s are lost and 172 damaged; casualties are 12 WIA and 130
1974:
formations, were proving somewhat effective. The US fighters, kept in close contact with the bombers they were protecting, could not chase the attacking fighters before they were forced to turn around and return to the bombers. General Doolittle responded by initiating
1255:
244 B-24s are dispatched to Achmer and Handorf Airfields; 11 hit Achmer Airfield and 203 hit Diepholz, Verden and Hesepe Airfields and Lingen; they claim 5-6-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 6 damaged; casualties are three WIA and 31
719:, was the biggest Allied air action so far. The ambitious enterprise had the total destruction of the German aircraft industry as its goal.' 'The manufacture of these , saw such a steep rise that the USAAF and RAF had good reason to fear that the defense of Hitler's
1987:, that had limited maneuverability with their heavy underwing conformal gun pod-mount autocannons – before they could ever approach the USAAF bombers. Though the change was unpopular with the bomber crews, its effects were immediate and extremely effective.
657:. Of this force, 60 aircraft were lost before returning to base and another 87 had to be scrapped due to irreparable damage. The Germans claimed 27 fighters lost, serious enough, but small in comparison to the losses on the part of the US forces. The
1248:, Hopsten, Rheine, Diepholz, QuakenbrĂĽck and Bramsche Airfields and the marshaling yards at Coevorden and Lingen; they claim 12-5-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 63 damaged; casualties are 4 KIA, 13 WIA and 75 MIA.
881:
There were 981 bomber aircraft available for Operation Argument in total. The B-24 Liberator usually had a crew of ten men, sometimes with an extra navigator. Each bombardment group usually consisted of three squadrons with a total of 36 bombers.
758:
could not ignore. In addition, the mission of the Allied fighters was altered in emphasis – rather than protection of the bombers, it was attack the Luftwaffe fighters. In effect, the primary purpose of the bombing missions was to bring up the
1666:
On 25/26 February 1944, Bomber Command sent almost 600 aircraft to the aircraft assembly plant at Augsburg. This time, the markers were dropped accurately, the attack was accurate and destroyed about 60 percent of the industrial city.
1804:
The damage to the German aircraft industry was fairly limited. During 1944, German fighter aircraft production continued to increase, and actually peaked, by dispersing production and reducing the production of other aircraft types.
1590:
267 of 290 B-17s hit aviation industry targets at Regensburg and targets of opportunity; they claim 13-1-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 12 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 82 damaged; casualties are 4 KIA, 12 WIA and 110
1921:
which had resulted in almost a thousand civilian casualties and major infrastructural damage, were initially brushed off as an 'incident', and Operation Argument would be glorified as 'Big Week' in Allied historiography.
3176:
3166:
1358:, 15 hit Magdeburg, 9 hit Marburg and 7 hit other targets of opportunity; they claim 32-18-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; 38 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 141 damaged; casualties are 35 KIA, 30 WIA and 367 MIA.
3171:
1134:, prime Fw 190A subcontractor) and 20 hit other targets of opportunity; they claim 14-5-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; seven B-17s are lost, two damaged beyond repair and 161 damaged; casualties are 7 KIA, 17 WIA and 72 MIA.
690:
The goal of Operation Argument was to destroy aircraft factories in central and southern Germany in order to destroy the German aircraft industry as a whole. This would then allow Allied air superiority over the
2044:
had to be removed before Operation Overlord could take place. The result was Operation Argument, which outlined a series of coordinated bombardments against aircraft factories located in central and southern
1594:
172 of 196 B-24s hit aviation industry targets at Furth and targets of opportunity; they claim 2-2-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 44 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 61
1261:
are damaged and two pilots are MIA; the P-51s claim 14-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft, three P-51s are lost and the pilots are MIA. German losses were 30 Bf 109s and Fw 190s, 24 pilots killed and seven wounded.
1659:
within three miles of the aiming point. Of these, only 22 hit inside the target area; that is, they came down within the boundaries of the built-up districts of the city. Little damage was done due to
1715:
17 Mosquitos to Duisburg, Stuttgart and two flying-bomb sites with other sorties. Including mine-laying operations, total effort for the night was 69 sorties, with 1 mine-laying aircraft (1.4%) lost.
1041:
Big Week opened with the RAF night attack on Leipzig. Apart from the destruction caused, the German anti-aircraft defenses would still be suffering from fatigue the following day when the USAAF hit.
1361:
333 B-17s are dispatched to Schweinfurt but severe weather prevents aircraft from forming properly and they are forced to abandon the mission prior to crossing the enemy coast; 2 B-17s are damaged.
626:
had been growing in size and experience and started pressing attacks deeper into Germany. It was originally believed that the defensive firepower of the ten or more .50 caliber machine guns on the
3161:
1165:, two P-47 Thunderbolts and one P-51 Mustangs are lost, two P-47 Thunderbolts are damaged beyond repair and 4 other aircraft are damaged; casualties are 4 MIA. German losses amount to 10
715:
Brinkhuis (1984) contended that the operation's target was attacking Germany's aircraft industry, 'going back to a plan that had already been made in October 1943. This plan, operation
1983:"fighter sweep" mode on the outward legs; then following the USAAF heavies' bomb runs, the fighters roamed far from the bomber streams and hunted down German fighters – especially the
1909:, was a disaster in terms of barely damaging any targets of military importance while killing hundreds of civilians of the Netherlands (approximately 880 civilian deaths in Nijmegen),
1461:
B-24s bomb the industrial complex at Steyr, Austria. Other heavy bombers are forced to abort because of bad weather; the bombers and escorting fighters claim 30+ aircraft shot down.
1953:. A force of 730 bombers set off from England with an escort of 800 fighters. Fierce battles raged and resulted in heavy losses for both sides; 69 B-17s were lost but it cost the
1126:
417 B-17 Flying Fortress are dispatched to Leipzig-Mockau Airfield, and aviation industry targets at Heiterblick and Abtnaundorf; 239 hit the primary targets, 37 hit Bernburg (
1123:
Mission 226: The Eighth Air Force begins "Big Week" attacks on German aircraft plants and airfields. Twenty-one bombers and 4 fighters are lost hitting three areas in Germany:
1707:
826 sorties, 10 aircraft (1.2%) lost. The major raid, by 598 aircraft, was to Stuttgart; (50 B-17s of the US VIII bombed Stuttgart industrial areas on Friday, 25 February).
2793:
1644:
yard and port and hit Zell-am-See, Austria railroad and Graz airfield and the port area at Zara, Yugoslavia; 30+ US aircraft are lost; they claim 90+ fighters shot down.
619:) proved difficult to thoroughly destroy, easy to repair, and the logistics of transporting materials between factories were almost impossible to effectively disrupt.
1856:
23 February: All operations were suspended due to bad weather and for investigating operational failures during the previous day, especially the Bombing of Nijmegen.
2007:". According to Kenneth P. Werell (1986), the battle for air superiority was very costly for both sides, but by 1 April 1944, the Allies had gained the upper hand.
2545:
2203:
1222:
medium bombers attack Haamstede Airfield, The Netherlands, as a target of opportunity, after about 100 B-26s abort attacks on other airfields because of weather.
1480:
Missions 237, 238 and 239 are flown against targets in France; 7 B-17s are lost. Heavy clouds cause over half the bombers dispatched to return without bombing.
1886:
2915:
De Fatale Aanval 22 februari 1944. Opzet of vergissing? De waarheid over de mysterieuze Amerikaanse bombardementen op Nijmegen, Arnhem, Enschede en Deventer
998:
The Americans flew continuously escorted missions against airframe manufacturing and assembly plants and other targets in numerous German cities including:
3013:
2536:
1564:
180 B-26s attack 'NOBALL' (V-weapon) targets and Rosieres-en-Santerre, France. Bad weather makes bombing difficult and causes 34 other B-26s to abort.
1330:
Mission 230: "Big Week" continues with 799 aircraft dispatched against German aviation and Luftwaffe airfields; 41 bombers and 11 fighters are lost.
457:
764:
attrition, the number of trained and experienced pilots proved the most decisive factor, though, rather than the availability of fighter aircraft.'
662:
deemed unsustainable: daylight missions into Germany were canceled in order to rebuild the forces and find new tactics to fend off German fighters.
2920:
The Fatal Attack February 22, 1944. Intent or mistake? The truth about the mysterious American bombing of Nijmegen, Arnhem, Enschede and Deventer
1603:
Mission 236: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Grenoble, Toulouse, Chartres, Caen and Raismes, France at 2129–2335 hours without loss.
1442:
Mission 232: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Rennes, Le Mans, Chartres, Lille and Orleans, France at 21:36–22:32 hours without loss.
2764:
1663:: marker aircraft dropped markers short, and bombers dropped their payload at the first markers seen rather than at the center of the markers.
1950:
1723:
10 Mosquitos to Stuttgart, 8 to Duisburg and 3 to Aachen with other sorties the total effort for the night was 134 sorties, no aircraft lost.
737:
On the other hand, according to McFarland & Newton (1991), Big Week was not primarily a bombing campaign, but a campaign designed to kill
3181:
1772:. US aircrews claimed more than 500 German fighters destroyed, though the numbers were exaggerated by 40% compared with actual numbers. The
1545:
Mission 239: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Amiens, Rennes, Paris, Rouen and Le Mans, France at 2023–2055 hours without loss.
1946:
773:
478:
fighter which gave the USAAF bomber forces more cover deeper into Germany, to take over the role. The offensive overlapped the German
1929:
Otherwise, Big Week bolstered the confidence of US strategic bombing crews. Until that time, Allied bombers avoided contact with the
1373:("The Fatal Attack"), was written about this by eyewitness Alphons Brinkhuis, who was a 10-year-old boy at Enschede when it happened.
2731:
1197:
Mission 227: 4 of 5 B-17s drop 200 bundles of leaflets on Tours, Nantes, Brest and Lorient, France at 2123–2200 hours without loss.
1145:; they claim 15-15-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 37 damaged; casualties are 3 KIA and 60 MIA.
1210:
1264:
Mission 229: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Rouen, Caen, Paris and Amiens, France at 2215–2327 hours without loss.
461:
427:. The objective of Operation Argument was to destroy aircraft factories in central and southern Germany in order to defeat the
3146:
2957:
2885:
2874:
2870:
2659:
1731:
17 Mosquitos of 692 Squadron to DĂĽsseldorf, with other sorties the total effort for the night 22 sorties, no aircraft lost.
3104:
3082:
2871:
The U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II: Leaping the Atlantic Wall Army Air Forces Campaigns in Western Europe, 1942–1945
444:
The joint daylight bombing campaign was also supported by RAF Bomber Command operating against the same targets at night.
2927:
1499:
Mission 237: 49 of 81 B-24s hit the Ecalles sur Buchy V-weapon sites; 1 B-24 is damaged. Escort is provided by 61 P-47s.
1416:
2552:
1994:
attacks against fighter production officially ended on 1 April 1944, and control of the air forces passed to US General
1820:
21 February: None of the 924 bombers who had departed hit their original targets, but diverted to other targets instead.
1862:
25/26 February 1944: RAF carried out an accurate attack on Augsburg, destroying some 60 percent of the industrial city.
1064: with: Damage and casualties on the ground due to the bombing raids are missing from the section.. You can help by
960:
574:
91:
2019:, the German "baby blitz" against the UK, that was ongoing simultaneously with the "Big Week" campaign and afterwards.
1817:
instead. The 1st and 2nd Bombardment Divisions also failed to find their objectives, and bombed other places instead.
3136:
3122:
2995:
2976:
1881:
979:
932:
593:
546:
110:
63:
2561:
2054:
The Serrate system allowed British night-fighters on "intruder" missions to hunt German radar-equipped nightfighters
3196:
2336:
665:
The raids were extensively studied by both sides. The Germans concluded that their tactic of deploying twin-engine
754:, commander of Eighth Air Force from the end of 1943, ordered bombing missions of key aircraft factories that the
449:
1583:
Mission 235: In the final "Big Week" mission, 4 targets in Germany are hit; 31 bombers and 3 fighters are lost.
1365:
aircraft; 3 B-24s are lost and 3 damaged; casualties are 30 MIA. About 900 civilians were killed, mainly in the
939:
553:
70:
3031:"Restrained Policy and Careless Execution: Allied Strategic Bombing on the Netherlands in the Second World War"
1117:
917:
639:
531:
163:
48:
1378:
pilots are MIA; the P-51s claim 19-1-10 Luftwaffe aircraft, 3 P-51s are lost and 3 damaged, 3 pilots are MIA.
3186:
412:
1244:
336 B-17s are dispatched to the GĂĽtersloh, Lippstadt and Werl Airfields; because of thick overcast, 285 hit
132:
946:
560:
77:
1825:
872:
631:
627:
1976:
1137:
314 B-17s are dispatched to the Tutow Airfield; 105 hit the primary and immediate area, 76 hit Rostock (
3030:
658:
2040:. Secondly, American ground planners preparing the invasion had also assessed that the threat of the
1991:
1910:
1859:
24/25 February: RAF conducted an attack on the aircraft industry in Schweinfurt, doing little damage.
1158:
928:
913:
542:
527:
495:
420:
59:
44:
3191:
2533:
1850:
2794:"Enschede herdenkt vergeten bombardement: 'Hier vielen meer slachtoffers dan bij de Vuurwerkramp'"
2204:"'Vergissingsbombardement' op Arnhem van 22 februari 1944; voor altijd in de schaduw van Nijmegen"
448:
resisted contributing RAF Bomber Command so as not to dilute the British "area bombing" offensive
1998:
in preparation for the invasion of France. The combined heavy bomber forces were now used in the
1162:
906:
853:
848:
843:
830:
812:
520:
37:
1169:
destroyed and three damaged with 10 killed and seven wounded. Total losses included 74 Bf 110s,
1157:
Missions one and three above are escorted by 94 P-38 Lightnings, 668 Eighth and Ninth Air Force
3092:
1979:
by "freeing" the fighters, allowing them to fly far ahead of the heavy bomber formations in an
1914:
1740:
1065:
825:
807:
318:
2284:
1398:
66 B-26s bomb Gilze-Rijen Airfield, The Netherlands; bad weather causes 100+ others to abort.
3141:
Yenne, Bill. (2012). "Big Week: Six Days That Changed The Course of World War II"; Penguin;
1696:
1142:
819:
802:
797:
475:
445:
398:, 57 civilian deaths in Arnhem, 40 civilian deaths in Enschede, 1 civilian death in Deventer.
1768:
German losses were 262 fighters, 250 aircrew killed or injured, including nearly 100 pilots
1161:
and 73 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51 Mustangs; they claim 61-7-37 Luftwaffe aircraft; one
1995:
1906:
1781:
1692:
1219:
1174:
1166:
837:
730:
710:
499:
8:
2016:
1902:
1895:
1846:
1411:
1366:
1325:
1241:
Mission 228: 3 areas in Germany are targeted with the loss of 16 bombers and 5 fighters:
1031:
993:
479:
467:
395:
340:
307:
2913:
2036:'…the USSTAF attempted an all-out attack on the German aircraft industry to defeat the
1655:
438:
416:
329:
2206:['Mistake bombing' on Arnhem of Feb. 22, 1944; forever in Nijmegen's shadow].
1845:
were selected and attacked. Approximately 880 civilians were killed in the disorderly
953:
567:
84:
3142:
3132:
3118:
3100:
3078:
3050:
2991:
2972:
2953:
2945:
2923:
2332:
2004:
1170:
1131:
698:
453:
434:
3046:
1600:
Luftwaffe aircraft, 2 P-51s are lost and 1 damaged beyond repair, 2 pilots are MIA.
729:
Similarly, Van Esch (2012) analysed the Allied strategy from the perspective of the
697:
to be achieved, which was considered absolutely critical in advance of the upcoming
277:
3042:
1829:
1769:
1245:
1112:
1023:
862:
792:
781:
670:
471:
384:
3014:"The Battle of Britain in 1940 and "Big Week," in 1944: A Comparative Perspective"
2882:
2889:
2769:
2667:
2540:
1739:
1,070 sorties, 36 aircraft (3.4%) lost including two aircraft minelaying and one
1519:
785:
751:
721:
612:
243:
1999:
1688:
1149:
335:
324:
260:
211:
3155:
3054:
2736:
1980:
1523:
666:
623:
313:
302:
288:
265:
249:
238:
199:
1970:(heavily armed Fw 190s) as bomber destroyers and Bf 109Gs to escort them in
470:
also provided escort for USAAF bomber formations, just at the time that the
3070:
1687:
921 sorties, 79 aircraft (8.6%) lost. The major raid, by 823 aircraft (561
1335:
1007:
1003:
866:
646:
424:
347:
283:
272:
224:
159:
136:
3177:
World War II aerial operations and battles of the Western European Theatre
3167:
Aerial operations and battles of World War II involving the United Kingdom
2329:
To Command the Sky: The Battle for Air Superiority Over Germany, 1942–1944
1966:
1809:
20 February: The 3rd Bombardment Division failed to reach its target, the
3172:
Aerial operations and battles of World War II involving the United States
1355:
1343:
777:
650:
254:
16:
1944 series of aerial bombings of German industry by the U.S. during WWII
1053:
2971:. Air Force History and Museums Program. Washington: Government Print.
1941:. Raiding the German capital, Allied leaders reasoned, would force the
1937:
into combat. Implementing this policy, the United States looked toward
1347:
920: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
654:
635:
634:
bombers would allow them to defend themselves as long as they remained
616:
534: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1813:
complex, due to long-hanging clouds. It attacked its secondary target
1789:
1660:
1015:
693:
429:
352:
895:
645:
On 17 August 1943, 230 USAAF bombers launched a mission against the
509:
26:
1891:
1842:
1838:
1339:
1038:
more than 500. Together they dropped roughly 10,000 tons of bombs.
1011:
2878:
2160:
2158:
2156:
2154:
1351:
1814:
1138:
1127:
1027:
999:
608:
2687:
2685:
3162:
Aerial operations and battles of World War II involving Germany
2151:
1938:
1834:
1785:
2833:
2831:
2829:
2827:
1905:
on 22 February, which resulted from the aborted attack on the
1334:
289 B-17s are dispatched against aviation industry targets at
2682:
2579:
2567:
1810:
1304:
VIII Bomber Command is redesignated as the Eighth Air Force.
1035:
1019:
2108:
2081:
2079:
2077:
2075:
2073:
2071:
1957:
160 aircraft. The Allies, again, replaced their losses; the
1423:
claim 40 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed; 13 bombers are lost.
1346:(18 bomb) in conjunction with a Fifteenth Air Force raid on
2850:
2848:
2846:
2824:
2608:
2606:
2438:
2436:
2434:
2432:
2364:
2301:
741:
fighters. Two tactical factors made this difficult. First,
383:
250 aircrew killed or injured, including nearly 100 pilots
2812:
2482:
2480:
2478:
2476:
2463:
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2243:
2241:
2239:
2237:
2177:
2175:
2173:
1933:; now, the Americans used any method that would force the
2922:] (in Dutch). Weesp: Gooise Uitgeverij. p. 147.
2068:
2879:
Federal Depository Library Program Electronic Collection
2843:
2603:
2546:"The Army Air Forces in World War II: Combat Chronology"
2473:
2448:
2409:
2388:
2376:
2345:
2289:
2265:
2234:
2170:
2629:
2627:
2625:
2623:
2621:
2327:
McFarland, Stephen L.; Newton, Wesley Philips (1991).
2141:
2139:
2137:
2135:
2133:
2131:
2129:
2127:
2125:
2123:
1882:
Bombing of Nijmegen § Allied and German reactions
1824:
were reported across central Germany, none of the 333
1671:
RAF Bomber Command night-time sorties during Big Week
2988:
B-17 Flying Fortress - Combat and Development History
2709:
2591:
2098:
2096:
2094:
1788:
groups were severely depleted. More worrying for the
750:
fighters. Recognizing these problems, Major General
669:
designs, with heavy armament to make them usable as
2618:
2120:
1285:the afternoon are recalled because of bad weather.
51:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
2765:"Bombardement geen vergissing, wel een 'faux pas'"
2697:
2529:
2527:
2525:
2523:
2521:
2519:
2517:
2515:
2091:
653:and another 146 against the aircraft factories in
3097:Big Week: The Biggest Air Battle of World War Two
2513:
2511:
2509:
2507:
2505:
2503:
2501:
2499:
2497:
2495:
2222:
3153:
2950:The Luftwaffe over Germany: Defense of the Reich
474:had started introducing the improved long range
2664:Royal Air Force Bomber Command 60th Anniversary
2326:
2943:
2691:
2585:
2573:
2492:
2164:
2114:
1518:Mission 238: 258 B-17s are dispatched against
2331:. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.
2003:to the tactical air battle in support of the
788:, and Major General Frederick Lewis Anderson
2877:Air Force history and museums program 1999,
2654:
2652:
2650:
2648:
2646:
2644:
2642:
2322:
2320:
2318:
2316:
1776:losses were high amongst their twin-engined
774:United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe
419:from 20 to 25 February 1944, as part of the
622:Prior to Big Week, throughout 1943, the US
1849:, while the actual target of opportunity,
2911:
2854:
2837:
2818:
2791:
2639:
2597:
2486:
2467:
2442:
2370:
2358:
2313:
2307:
2295:
2271:
2259:
2181:
1153:casualties are 10 KIA, 10 WIA and 77 MIA.
980:Learn how and when to remove this message
767:
594:Learn how and when to remove this message
486:, which lasted from January to May 1944.
111:Learn how and when to remove this message
3069:
3028:
2403:
2382:
2198:
2196:
2194:
2192:
2190:
2085:
1885:
3091:
2759:
2757:
2755:
1044:
3154:
3011:
2792:Haverkate, Herman (23 February 2020).
2145:
1875:
2969:Case Studies In Strategic Bombardment
2865:
2863:
2726:
2724:
2187:
1650:
1085:USAAF bomber sorties during Big Week
1030:flew more than 3,000 sorties and the
378:Over 2,000 aircrew killed or captured
3182:World War II strategic bombing lists
3115:Mustang Aces of the Eighth Air Force
2985:
2966:
2752:
2715:
2703:
2633:
2612:
2228:
2102:
1048:
918:adding citations to reliable sources
889:
532:adding citations to reliable sources
503:
49:adding citations to reliable sources
20:
2740:. NPO Geschiedenis. 20 January 2004
1911:whose government-in-exile in London
13:
3063:
2860:
2721:
2660:"RAF Campaign Diary February 1944"
1924:
1799:
746:Allied pursuit and destruction of
441:were to take place later in 1944.
14:
3208:
1977:a breakthrough in fighter tactics
1624:recalled because of bad weather.
772:As of 22 February 1944 under the
411:, was a sequence of raids by the
3129:Bf 109 Defense of the Reich Aces
3012:Harvey, Arnold D (Spring 2012).
2210:(in Dutch). NL. 21 February 2018
1964:The new German tactics of using
1763:
1754:
1052:
894:
776:commanded by Lieutenant General
508:
346:
334:
323:
312:
301:
282:
271:
259:
248:
237:
217:
204:
192:
25:
3047:10.1179/0729247312z.00000000012
2952:. London, UK: Greenhill Books.
2899:
2785:
2277:
2048:
905:needs additional citations for
673:and serving primarily with the
640:Schweinfurt-Regensburg missions
519:needs additional citations for
394:880 civilian deaths during the
36:needs additional citations for
3029:van Esch, Joris A. C. (2012).
2666:. 6 April 2005. Archived from
2030:
1949:launched the first of several
1833:the Dutch cities of Nijmegen,
636:arranged into tight formations
175:
1:
3041:(3). Informa UK Ltd: 244–63.
2061:
885:
489:
464:, to force Harris to comply.
413:United States Army Air Forces
391:
1866:
820:14th Combat Bombardment Wing
798:20th Combat Bombardment Wing
7:
2869:Russell, Edward T. (1999).
2732:"Bombardement van Nijmegen"
2010:
1945:to battle. On March 4, the
1826:Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
1749:
1010:, Regensburg, Schweinfurt,
873:Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
838:2nd Combat Bombardment Wing
704:
699:invasion of Northern France
685:
632:Consolidated B-24 Liberator
628:Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
10:
3213:
2986:Hess, William. N. (1994).
2912:Brinkhuis, Alfons (1984).
2692:Caldwell & Muller 2007
2586:Caldwell & Muller 2007
2574:Caldwell & Muller 2007
2165:Caldwell & Muller 2007
2115:Caldwell & Muller 2007
1879:
1640:MTO: Strategic operations
1439:ETO: Strategic operations
1323:
1320:ETO: Strategic operations
1301:ETO: Strategic operations
1238:ETO: Strategic operations
1177:and a further 29 damaged.
1159:Republic P-47 Thunderbolts
991:
708:
659:Second Raid on Schweinfurt
493:
2967:Hall, Cargill R. (1998).
2564:). Accessed 9 August 2008
2534:USAF History Publications
1992:Combined Bomber Offensive
1675:
1620:ETO: Tactical operations
1458:MTO:Strategic operations
1281:ETO: Tactical operations
1215:ETO: Tactical operations
1089:
496:Combined Bomber Offensive
421:Combined Bomber Offensive
390:
358:
294:
230:
185:
164:Nazi-occupied Netherlands
142:
130:
125:
3099:. London: Bantam Press.
2023:
1851:Nijmegen railway station
1830:3rd Bombardment Division
1130:), 44 hit Oschersleben (
863:3rd Bombardment Division
793:2nd Bombardment Division
452:. It took an order from
3197:1944 in the Netherlands
1163:Lockheed P-38 Lightning
1120:: Strategic operations
854:453rd Bombardment Group
849:445th Bombardment Group
844:389th Bombardment Group
831:392nd Bombardment Group
813:448th Bombardment Group
808:446th Bombardment Group
407:, after the war dubbed
1951:attacks against Berlin
1898:
1894:after the 22 February
1741:Serrate radar detector
1697:de Havilland Mosquitos
1693:Handley Page Halifaxes
1419::Strategic operations
1143:targets of opportunity
826:44th Bombardment Group
768:Allied order of battle
462:Chief of the Air Staff
446:Arthur "Bomber" Harris
319:US Fifteenth Air Force
231:Commanders and leaders
3131:, Osprey Publishing,
3117:, Osprey Publishing,
3077:. MBI Publishing Co.
2944:Caldwell, Donald L.;
2558:on 10 September 2008.
1889:
1880:Further information:
1324:Further information:
1175:Messerschmitt Bf 109s
1167:Messerschmitt Bf 110s
992:Further information:
803:93d Bombardment Group
709:Further information:
359:Casualties and losses
3187:February 1944 events
3127:Weal, John. (2006).
2615:, pp. 138, 140.
2562:February 1945 (html)
1996:Dwight D. Eisenhower
1961:, again, could not.
1907:Gothaer Waggonfabrik
1684:19/20 February 1944
1369:. In 1984, the book
1220:Martin B-26 Marauder
1141:) and 115 hit other
1045:USAAF bomber sorties
914:improve this article
731:Casablanca directive
711:Casablanca directive
528:improve this article
500:Pointblank directive
45:improve this article
3113:Scutts, J. (1994).
2017:Operation Steinbock
1903:bombing of Nijmegen
1896:Bombing of Nijmegen
1876:Humanitarian impact
1847:Bombing of Nijmegen
1672:
1367:bombing of Nijmegen
1326:Bombing of Nijmegen
1086:
1032:Fifteenth Air Force
1022:. In six days, the
994:Bombing of Nijmegen
675:Zerstörergeschwader
480:Operation Steinbock
468:RAF Fighter Command
396:Bombing of Nijmegen
341:RAF Fighter Command
308:US Eighth Air Force
150:20–25 February 1944
2946:Muller, Richard R.
2888:2005-10-24 at the
2840:, pp. 130–39.
2773:. 21 February 2009
2539:2009-03-25 at the
2373:, pp. 25, 31.
2310:, pp. 18, 25.
2167:, pp. 162–63.
2088:, pp. 256–57.
1899:
1670:
1656:RAF Bomber Command
1651:RAF bomber sorties
1350:, Germany; 32 hit
1171:Focke-Wulf Fw 190s
1084:
786:James H. Doolittle
439:Operation Overlord
417:RAF Bomber Command
405:Operation Argument
330:RAF Bomber Command
126:Operation Argument
3147:978-0-425-25575-9
3035:War & Society
3018:Air Power History
2959:978-1-85367-712-0
2718:, pp. 77–78.
2005:Normandy invasion
1747:
1746:
1648:
1647:
1634:25 February 1944
1614:25 February 1944
1574:25 February 1944
1555:24 February 1944
1536:24 February 1944
1509:24 February 1944
1490:24 February 1944
1471:24 February 1944
1452:23 February 1944
1433:23 February 1944
1408:22 February 1944
1389:22 February 1944
1314:22 February 1944
1295:22 February 1944
1275:21 February 1944
1232:21 February 1944
1207:20 February 1944
1188:20 February 1944
1109:20 February 1944
1082:
1081:
1026:bombers based in
990:
989:
982:
964:
671:bomber destroyers
604:
603:
596:
578:
454:Air Chief Marshal
435:Normandy landings
402:
401:
374:226 heavy bombers
181:
180:
121:
120:
113:
95:
3204:
3110:
3106:978-0-59307797-9
3088:
3084:978-0-76034520-7
3058:
3025:
3001:
2982:
2963:
2940:
2938:
2936:
2893:
2867:
2858:
2852:
2841:
2835:
2822:
2821:, p. 57–59.
2816:
2810:
2809:
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2789:
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2782:
2780:
2778:
2761:
2750:
2749:
2747:
2745:
2728:
2719:
2713:
2707:
2701:
2695:
2689:
2680:
2679:
2677:
2675:
2670:on 28 March 2006
2656:
2637:
2631:
2616:
2610:
2601:
2595:
2589:
2583:
2577:
2571:
2565:
2559:
2557:
2551:. Archived from
2550:
2531:
2490:
2484:
2471:
2465:
2446:
2440:
2407:
2401:
2386:
2380:
2374:
2368:
2362:
2356:
2343:
2342:
2324:
2311:
2305:
2299:
2293:
2287:
2281:
2275:
2269:
2263:
2257:
2232:
2226:
2220:
2219:
2217:
2215:
2200:
2185:
2179:
2168:
2162:
2149:
2143:
2118:
2112:
2106:
2100:
2089:
2083:
2055:
2052:
2046:
2034:
1915:Allied coalition
1913:was part of the
1770:killed in action
1673:
1669:
1631:
1611:
1571:
1552:
1533:
1506:
1487:
1468:
1449:
1430:
1405:
1386:
1371:De Fatale Aanval
1311:
1292:
1272:
1229:
1204:
1185:
1106:
1087:
1083:
1077:
1074:
1056:
1049:
1024:Eighth Air Force
985:
978:
974:
971:
965:
963:
922:
898:
890:
865:– Major General
784:– Major General
782:Eighth Air Force
599:
592:
588:
585:
579:
577:
536:
512:
504:
472:Eighth Air Force
393:
351:
350:
339:
338:
328:
327:
317:
316:
306:
305:
287:
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275:
264:
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220:
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198:
196:
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144:
143:
123:
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116:
109:
105:
102:
96:
94:
53:
29:
21:
3212:
3211:
3207:
3206:
3205:
3203:
3202:
3201:
3192:1944 in Germany
3152:
3151:
3107:
3085:
3066:
3064:Further reading
3061:
2998:
2990:. Motor books.
2979:
2960:
2934:
2932:
2930:
2929:978-907323201-3
2902:
2897:
2896:
2890:Wayback Machine
2868:
2861:
2853:
2844:
2836:
2825:
2817:
2813:
2803:
2801:
2790:
2786:
2776:
2774:
2770:De Gelderlander
2763:
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2729:
2722:
2714:
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2702:
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2548:
2544:
2541:Wayback Machine
2532:
2493:
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2369:
2365:
2357:
2346:
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2302:
2294:
2290:
2283:Hastings 1979,
2282:
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2258:
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2227:
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2084:
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2053:
2049:
2035:
2031:
2026:
2013:
1972:Gefechtsverband
1927:
1925:Military impact
1884:
1878:
1869:
1828:bombers of the
1802:
1800:Bombing results
1780:units, and the
1766:
1757:
1752:
1736:24/25 February
1728:23/24 February
1720:22/23 February
1712:21/22 February
1704:20/21 February
1689:Avro Lancasters
1653:
1633:
1629:
1613:
1609:
1573:
1569:
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1508:
1504:
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1407:
1403:
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1384:
1328:
1313:
1309:
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1274:
1270:
1231:
1227:
1206:
1202:
1187:
1183:
1108:
1104:
1078:
1072:
1069:
1062:needs expansion
1047:
996:
986:
975:
969:
966:
923:
921:
911:
899:
888:
770:
752:Jimmy Doolittle
713:
707:
688:
613:Wiener Neustadt
600:
589:
583:
580:
537:
535:
525:
513:
502:
492:
382:
377:
375:
373:
369:
367:
345:
333:
332:
322:
321:
311:
310:
300:
281:
280:
270:
258:
257:
247:
246:
244:Jimmy Doolittle
236:
218:
216:
205:
203:
202:
193:
191:
166:
117:
106:
100:
97:
54:
52:
42:
30:
17:
12:
11:
5:
3210:
3200:
3199:
3194:
3189:
3184:
3179:
3174:
3169:
3164:
3150:
3149:
3139:
3125:
3111:
3105:
3093:Holland, James
3089:
3083:
3075:Bomber Command
3065:
3062:
3060:
3059:
3026:
3008:
3007:
3003:
3002:
2996:
2983:
2977:
2964:
2958:
2941:
2928:
2908:
2907:
2903:
2901:
2898:
2895:
2894:
2859:
2857:, p. 128.
2855:Brinkhuis 1984
2842:
2838:Brinkhuis 1984
2823:
2819:Brinkhuis 1984
2811:
2784:
2751:
2720:
2708:
2696:
2694:, p. 163.
2681:
2638:
2636:, p. 140.
2617:
2602:
2598:Brinkhuis 1984
2590:
2588:, p. 158.
2578:
2576:, p. 156.
2566:
2491:
2487:Brinkhuis 1984
2472:
2468:Brinkhuis 1984
2447:
2443:Brinkhuis 1984
2408:
2406:, p. 257.
2387:
2385:, p. 254.
2375:
2371:Brinkhuis 1984
2363:
2359:Brinkhuis 1984
2344:
2337:
2312:
2308:Brinkhuis 1984
2300:
2296:Brinkhuis 1984
2288:
2276:
2272:Brinkhuis 1984
2264:
2260:Brinkhuis 1984
2233:
2221:
2186:
2184:, p. 100.
2182:Brinkhuis 1984
2169:
2150:
2119:
2117:, p. 162.
2107:
2105:, p. 138.
2090:
2066:
2065:
2063:
2060:
2057:
2056:
2047:
2028:
2027:
2025:
2022:
2021:
2020:
2012:
2009:
2000:Transport Plan
1926:
1923:
1877:
1874:
1868:
1865:
1864:
1863:
1860:
1857:
1854:
1821:
1818:
1801:
1798:
1765:
1762:
1756:
1753:
1751:
1748:
1745:
1744:
1737:
1733:
1732:
1729:
1725:
1724:
1721:
1717:
1716:
1713:
1709:
1708:
1705:
1701:
1700:
1685:
1681:
1680:
1677:
1652:
1649:
1646:
1645:
1641:
1638:
1635:
1626:
1625:
1621:
1618:
1615:
1606:
1605:
1597:
1596:
1592:
1588:
1581:
1578:
1575:
1566:
1565:
1562:
1559:
1556:
1547:
1546:
1543:
1540:
1537:
1528:
1527:
1516:
1513:
1510:
1501:
1500:
1497:
1494:
1491:
1482:
1481:
1478:
1475:
1472:
1463:
1462:
1459:
1456:
1453:
1444:
1443:
1440:
1437:
1434:
1425:
1424:
1420:
1414:
1409:
1400:
1399:
1396:
1393:
1390:
1381:
1380:
1375:
1374:
1362:
1359:
1342:(47 bomb) and
1321:
1318:
1315:
1306:
1305:
1302:
1299:
1296:
1287:
1286:
1282:
1279:
1276:
1267:
1266:
1258:
1257:
1253:
1249:
1239:
1236:
1233:
1224:
1223:
1216:
1213:
1208:
1199:
1198:
1195:
1192:
1189:
1180:
1179:
1155:
1154:
1146:
1135:
1121:
1115:
1110:
1101:
1100:
1097:
1094:
1091:
1080:
1079:
1059:
1057:
1046:
1043:
988:
987:
902:
900:
893:
887:
884:
879:
878:
877:
876:
860:
859:
858:
857:
856:
851:
846:
835:
834:
833:
828:
822:(second wave)
817:
816:
815:
810:
805:
769:
766:
722:Festung Europa
706:
703:
687:
684:
602:
601:
516:
514:
507:
491:
488:
458:Charles Portal
450:against Berlin
400:
399:
388:
387:
379:
361:
360:
356:
355:
343:
297:
296:
292:
291:
278:Hermann Göring
268:
233:
232:
228:
227:
214:
212:United Kingdom
188:
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158:
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128:
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119:
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33:
31:
24:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
3209:
3198:
3195:
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3185:
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3180:
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3170:
3168:
3165:
3163:
3160:
3159:
3157:
3148:
3144:
3140:
3138:
3137:1-84176-879-0
3134:
3130:
3126:
3124:
3123:1-85532-447-4
3120:
3116:
3112:
3108:
3102:
3098:
3094:
3090:
3086:
3080:
3076:
3072:
3071:Hastings, Max
3068:
3067:
3056:
3052:
3048:
3044:
3040:
3036:
3032:
3027:
3023:
3019:
3015:
3010:
3009:
3005:
3004:
2999:
2997:0-87938-881-1
2993:
2989:
2984:
2980:
2978:0-16-049781-7
2974:
2970:
2965:
2961:
2955:
2951:
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2815:
2799:
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2766:
2760:
2758:
2756:
2739:
2738:
2737:Andere Tijden
2733:
2727:
2725:
2717:
2712:
2706:, p. 78.
2705:
2700:
2693:
2688:
2686:
2669:
2665:
2661:
2655:
2653:
2651:
2649:
2647:
2645:
2643:
2635:
2630:
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2614:
2609:
2607:
2599:
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2587:
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2563:
2554:
2547:
2542:
2538:
2535:
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2522:
2520:
2518:
2516:
2514:
2512:
2510:
2508:
2506:
2504:
2502:
2500:
2498:
2496:
2489:, p. 30.
2488:
2483:
2481:
2479:
2477:
2470:, p. 31.
2469:
2464:
2462:
2460:
2458:
2456:
2454:
2452:
2445:, p. 29.
2444:
2439:
2437:
2435:
2433:
2431:
2429:
2427:
2425:
2423:
2421:
2419:
2417:
2415:
2413:
2405:
2404:van Esch 2012
2400:
2398:
2396:
2394:
2392:
2384:
2383:van Esch 2012
2379:
2372:
2367:
2361:, p. 25.
2360:
2355:
2353:
2351:
2349:
2340:
2334:
2330:
2323:
2321:
2319:
2317:
2309:
2304:
2298:, p. 16.
2297:
2292:
2286:
2280:
2274:, p. 19.
2273:
2268:
2262:, p. 18.
2261:
2256:
2254:
2252:
2250:
2248:
2246:
2244:
2242:
2240:
2238:
2231:, p. 73.
2230:
2225:
2209:
2205:
2199:
2197:
2195:
2193:
2191:
2183:
2178:
2176:
2174:
2166:
2161:
2159:
2157:
2155:
2148:, p. 37.
2147:
2142:
2140:
2138:
2136:
2134:
2132:
2130:
2128:
2126:
2124:
2116:
2111:
2104:
2099:
2097:
2095:
2087:
2086:van Esch 2012
2082:
2080:
2078:
2076:
2074:
2072:
2067:
2051:
2043:
2039:
2033:
2029:
2018:
2015:
2014:
2008:
2006:
2001:
1997:
1993:
1988:
1986:
1982:
1981:air supremacy
1978:
1973:
1969:
1968:
1962:
1960:
1956:
1952:
1948:
1944:
1940:
1936:
1932:
1922:
1918:
1916:
1912:
1908:
1904:
1897:
1893:
1888:
1883:
1873:
1861:
1858:
1855:
1852:
1848:
1844:
1840:
1836:
1831:
1827:
1822:
1819:
1816:
1812:
1808:
1807:
1806:
1797:
1795:
1791:
1787:
1783:
1779:
1775:
1771:
1764:German losses
1761:
1755:Allied losses
1742:
1738:
1735:
1734:
1730:
1727:
1726:
1722:
1719:
1718:
1714:
1711:
1710:
1706:
1703:
1702:
1698:
1694:
1690:
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1682:
1678:
1674:
1668:
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1662:
1657:
1642:
1639:
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1628:
1627:
1622:
1619:
1616:
1608:
1607:
1604:
1601:
1593:
1589:
1585:
1584:
1582:
1579:
1576:
1568:
1567:
1563:
1560:
1557:
1549:
1548:
1544:
1541:
1538:
1530:
1529:
1525:
1524:Pas de Calais
1522:sites in the
1521:
1517:
1514:
1511:
1503:
1502:
1498:
1495:
1492:
1484:
1483:
1479:
1476:
1473:
1465:
1464:
1460:
1457:
1454:
1446:
1445:
1441:
1438:
1435:
1427:
1426:
1421:
1418:
1415:
1413:
1410:
1402:
1401:
1397:
1394:
1391:
1383:
1382:
1379:
1372:
1368:
1363:
1360:
1357:
1353:
1349:
1345:
1341:
1337:
1333:
1332:
1331:
1327:
1322:
1319:
1316:
1308:
1307:
1303:
1300:
1297:
1289:
1288:
1283:
1280:
1277:
1269:
1268:
1265:
1262:
1254:
1250:
1247:
1243:
1242:
1240:
1237:
1234:
1226:
1225:
1221:
1217:
1214:
1212:
1209:
1201:
1200:
1196:
1193:
1190:
1182:
1181:
1178:
1176:
1172:
1168:
1164:
1160:
1151:
1147:
1144:
1140:
1136:
1133:
1129:
1125:
1124:
1122:
1119:
1116:
1114:
1111:
1103:
1102:
1098:
1095:
1092:
1088:
1076:
1067:
1063:
1060:This section
1058:
1055:
1051:
1050:
1042:
1039:
1037:
1033:
1029:
1025:
1021:
1017:
1013:
1009:
1005:
1001:
995:
984:
981:
973:
970:December 2022
962:
959:
955:
952:
948:
945:
941:
938:
934:
931: –
930:
926:
925:Find sources:
919:
915:
909:
908:
903:This section
901:
897:
892:
891:
883:
874:
870:
869:
868:
864:
861:
855:
852:
850:
847:
845:
842:
841:
840:(third wave)
839:
836:
832:
829:
827:
824:
823:
821:
818:
814:
811:
809:
806:
804:
801:
800:
799:
796:
795:
794:
791:
790:
789:
787:
783:
779:
775:
765:
762:
757:
753:
749:
744:
740:
735:
732:
727:
724:
723:
718:
712:
702:
700:
696:
695:
683:
679:
676:
672:
668:
667:heavy fighter
663:
660:
656:
652:
649:factories in
648:
643:
641:
637:
633:
629:
625:
624:8th Air Force
620:
618:
614:
610:
598:
595:
587:
584:February 2011
576:
573:
569:
566:
562:
559:
555:
552:
548:
545: –
544:
540:
539:Find sources:
533:
529:
523:
522:
517:This section
515:
511:
506:
505:
501:
497:
487:
485:
481:
477:
473:
469:
465:
463:
459:
455:
451:
447:
442:
440:
436:
432:
431:
426:
422:
418:
414:
410:
406:
397:
389:
386:
380:
372:
366:
363:
362:
357:
354:
349:
344:
342:
337:
331:
326:
320:
315:
309:
304:
299:
298:
293:
290:
289:Adolf Galland
285:
279:
274:
269:
267:
266:Arthur Harris
262:
256:
251:
245:
240:
235:
234:
229:
226:
215:
213:
201:
200:United States
190:
189:
184:
177:
173:
170:
169:
165:
161:
157:
154:
153:
149:
146:
145:
141:
138:
134:
133:Western Front
129:
124:
115:
112:
104:
101:December 2022
93:
90:
86:
83:
79:
76:
72:
69:
65:
62: –
61:
57:
56:Find sources:
50:
46:
40:
39:
34:This article
32:
28:
23:
22:
19:
3128:
3114:
3096:
3074:
3038:
3034:
3021:
3017:
2987:
2968:
2949:
2933:. Retrieved
2919:
2914:
2900:Bibliography
2814:
2802:. Retrieved
2797:
2787:
2775:. Retrieved
2768:
2742:. Retrieved
2735:
2711:
2699:
2672:. Retrieved
2668:the original
2663:
2593:
2581:
2569:
2553:the original
2378:
2366:
2338:1-56098069-9
2328:
2303:
2291:
2279:
2267:
2224:
2212:. Retrieved
2207:
2110:
2050:
2041:
2037:
2032:
1989:
1984:
1971:
1965:
1963:
1958:
1954:
1942:
1934:
1930:
1928:
1919:
1900:
1870:
1803:
1793:
1777:
1773:
1767:
1758:
1665:
1654:
1630:1944-02-25-2
1610:1944-02-25-1
1602:
1598:
1570:1944-02-25-0
1551:1944-02-24-1
1532:1944-02-24-0
1505:1944-02-24-0
1486:1944-02-24-0
1467:1944-02-24-0
1448:1944-02-23-1
1429:1944-02-23-0
1404:1944-02-22-2
1385:1944-02-22-1
1376:
1370:
1336:Aschersleben
1329:
1310:1944-02-22-0
1291:1944-02-22-0
1271:1944-02-21-1
1263:
1259:
1228:1944-02-21-0
1203:1944-02-20-1
1184:1944-02-20-0
1156:
1105:1944-02-20-0
1073:October 2020
1070:
1066:adding to it
1061:
1040:
997:
976:
967:
957:
950:
943:
936:
924:
912:Please help
907:verification
904:
880:
867:Curtis LeMay
771:
760:
755:
747:
742:
738:
736:
728:
720:
716:
714:
692:
689:
680:
674:
664:
647:ball bearing
644:
621:
605:
590:
581:
571:
564:
557:
550:
538:
526:Please help
521:verification
518:
483:
476:P-51 Mustang
466:
443:
428:
425:Nazi Germany
408:
404:
403:
381:262 fighters
370:
364:
186:Belligerents
160:Nazi Germany
137:World War II
131:Part of the
107:
98:
88:
81:
74:
67:
55:
43:Please help
38:verification
35:
18:
2935:23 February
2883:backup site
2804:13 December
2798:tubantia.nl
2285:pp. 214–15.
2214:13 December
2146:Harvey 2012
1356:Wernigerode
1344:Halberstadt
1338:(34 bomb),
780:, the U.S.
778:Carl Spaatz
651:Schweinfurt
433:before the
376:28 fighters
368:131 bombers
255:Carl Spaatz
3156:Categories
2906:Monographs
2800:(in Dutch)
2062:References
1985:Sturmböcke
1967:Sturmböcke
1890:Damage to
1695:and seven
1348:Regensburg
940:newspapers
929:"Big Week"
886:Operations
655:Regensburg
617:Regensburg
554:newspapers
543:"Big Week"
494:See also:
490:Background
484:Baby Blitz
71:newspapers
60:"Big Week"
3073:(2013) .
3055:0729-2473
2777:20 August
2744:20 August
2716:Hess 1994
2704:Hess 1994
2634:Hall 1998
2613:Hall 1998
2229:Hess 1994
2103:Hall 1998
2045:Germany.'
2042:Luftwaffe
2038:Luftwaffe
1959:Luftwaffe
1955:Luftwaffe
1943:Luftwaffe
1935:Luftwaffe
1931:Luftwaffe
1867:Aftermath
1794:Jagdwaffe
1790:Jagdwaffe
1778:Zerstörer
1774:Luftwaffe
1661:creepback
1450:Wednesday
1431:Wednesday
1354:, 19 hit
1034:based in
1016:Stuttgart
1004:Brunswick
761:Luftwaffe
756:Luftwaffe
748:Luftwaffe
743:Luftwaffe
739:Luftwaffe
694:Luftwaffe
430:Luftwaffe
353:Luftwaffe
176:Aftermath
3095:(2018).
3006:Journals
2948:(2007).
2886:Archived
2875:Big Week
2674:28 March
2537:Archived
2011:See also
1892:Nijmegen
1843:Enschede
1839:Deventer
1750:Analysis
1553:Thursday
1534:Thursday
1520:V-weapon
1507:Thursday
1488:Thursday
1469:Thursday
1340:Bernburg
1096:Theatre
1012:Augsburg
717:Argument
705:Strategy
686:Planning
423:against
409:Big Week
295:Strength
155:Location
1815:Rostock
1406:Tuesday
1387:Tuesday
1312:Tuesday
1293:Tuesday
1139:Heinkel
1128:Junkers
1028:England
1000:Leipzig
954:scholar
875:bombers
609:Leipzig
568:scholar
437:during
225:Germany
85:scholar
3145:
3135:
3121:
3103:
3081:
3053:
2994:
2975:
2956:
2926:
2335:
1947:USSTAF
1939:Berlin
1835:Arnhem
1786:Me 410
1782:Bf 110
1691:, 255
1679:Notes
1632:Friday
1612:Friday
1572:Friday
1273:Monday
1246:Achmer
1230:Monday
1205:Sunday
1186:Sunday
1107:Sunday
1099:Notes
1093:USAAF
956:
949:
942:
935:
927:
615:, and
570:
563:
556:
549:
541:
482:, the
371:USAAF:
222:
209:
197:
171:Result
87:
80:
73:
66:
58:
2918:[
2556:(PDF)
2549:(PDF)
2024:Notes
1811:Tutow
1676:Date
1352:BĂĽnde
1150:B-24s
1090:Date
1036:Italy
1020:Steyr
1008:Gotha
961:JSTOR
947:books
575:JSTOR
561:books
92:JSTOR
78:books
3143:ISBN
3133:ISBN
3119:ISBN
3101:ISBN
3079:ISBN
3051:ISSN
3024:(1).
2992:ISBN
2973:ISBN
2954:ISBN
2937:2020
2924:ISBN
2806:2022
2779:2016
2746:2016
2676:2006
2333:ISBN
2216:2022
1990:The
1901:The
1841:and
1784:and
1595:MIA.
1591:MIA.
1587:MIA.
1580:ETO
1561:ETO
1542:ETO
1515:ETO
1496:ETO
1477:ETO
1412:15AF
1395:ETO
1256:MIA.
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