Special Edition Mission 115 Schweinfurt – 14 October 1943
American bomber doctrine set forth the manner in which the Americans were determined to make war in the air: self-defending armadas of heavy bombers ranging at will over Germany in daylight,conducting precision attacks.
Beginning in June 43, as the United States began to expand its force of heavy bombers in the Eighth Army Airforce, operating out of dozens of airbases in England, a battle raged in the skies over Germany.
By Autumn of 1943, the American air fleets were suffering losses at rates which they had not predicticted. The Eighth Air Force leaders had orders from Washington to press on.
In mid-October 1943 in a series of missions, the B-17s of the Eighth Airforce and the German fighter forces met in savage combat in the skies over Germany. On October 8, the B-17s attacked Bremen at a loss of 29 B-17s and 290 men. On October 9, they attacked Anklam, Marienburg,and Gdynia with a further loss of 28 B-17’s 280 men. On October 10, the B-17’s attacked Munster, Coesfield, and Enchede with 30 B-17’s lost and 300 men. Four days later, the B-17’s prepared to attack Schweinfurt. Allied fighters would not be able to escort the bomber force all the way to the target and back….
This book is about that mission.