LW losses in WW2

[Angus]

I am just curious about where the LW losses took place mostly, and how many per year.
The only data I came across yet is from the year 1944, it actually came as a surprize to me there that the LW lost much less on the eastern than the western front.
I'll post it, when I have the time.
Anyway, curious about other fronts and other years.

[humble]

The western front in 44-45 was a meat grinder...especially for the Axis. Operational losses among the new pilots were staggering...average life expectancy for a "baby seal" luftwaffe combat pilot was well under the 3 week life expectancy of the 1917 british subaltern flying over the same turf. Overall losses in 1941-1942 were slanted pretty heavily to the germans as the british struggled with inferiority in both planes & tactic's. As 1942 closed and thru 1943 I believe you had a parity...the newer generations of allied planes had evened the playing field somewhat and better allied tactics emerged. At that point the results were dictated by the skill positional advantage of the combatants....

By late 1944 life for the germans resembled niggitt land in the MA:). From what I've read the primary combatants were the spit XIV and tempest over much of the front at lower levels with ponies up high. Obviously you also had tiffie's, jugs and P-38's. I remember reading one story of german officer ordered to lead his staffel on a jabo mission in Jan 1945...lost 2 of 18 on take off to tempests...3 to bounce by spit XIV's (his operational orders specified 3500 meter combat ceiling en route to target)...he got hit by returning pony cap prior to roll in and lost 4 more. Then was hit on attack run by P-38's who were vectored in by tac air as they hit target (armoured spearhead) so they didnt hit anything. 3 planes total returned and poor guy splattered himself all over back of cockpit on landing....figured it was easier than getting pulled out and shot. Story is in one of the JG-26 memoirs.

[VO101_Isegrim]

If you visit ww2.dk there`s complete listing of all German units between 3.1942 and 12.1945. It would be a lot of work to sort it out per year/theatre/type, but its all there if you are really interested.

[MiloMorai]

Originally posted by VO101_Isegrim
If you visit ww2.dk there`s complete listing of all German units between 3.1942 and 12.1945. It would be a lot of work to sort it out per year/theatre/type, but its all there if you are really interested.

I have visited that site many times but never found any units listed as of 12/1945. The last is 12/44.

[NoBaddy]

Originally posted by MiloMorai
I have visited that site many times but never found any units listed as of 12/1945. The last is 12/44.

Hmmm, that could be because the war ended in Europe as of 5/1945 .

[MiloMorai]

Originally posted by NoBaddy
Hmmm, that could be because the war ended in Europe as of 5/1945 .

We have a winner.

[Angus]

Here is something interesting:
1944 - All Combat Types. LW losses on the eastern front vs the western front.
Estimated strength: From operational aircraft, roughly equal, however, relatively, many more single-engined fighters were stationed in the west.
Sorties: east vs west: 342,483 vs 182,004
Losses: east vs west: 2406      vs 9768
Losses realatively:  1 against  4.06
Losses relatively including sorties: 1 vs 7.66

Really interesting. If these figures fit, the air fighting vs the Brits in 1940 costed the LW about the same amount of aircraft as the entire eastern front in 1944!!!!!!

Link:

http://www.butler98.freeserve.co.uk/thtrlosses.htm

[MiloMorai]

Another interesting site.

http://tonywood.cjb.net/

 Poland 1939 and Reich & Western Front 1939-1940

Reich & Western Front 1941. Vol I

Reich & Western Front 1941. Vol II

Reich & Western Front 1942. Vol III

Reich & Western Front 1943. Vol IV

Reich, West and Südfront, January to April 1944. Vol. I

 Reich, West and Südfront, May to July 1944. Vol. I

 Reich, West and Südfront, July to December 1944. Vol. I

Mediterranean & Southern Front 1941-1942. Vol. I

Mediterranean & Southern Front 1943. Vol II

Eastern Front Vol 1. 1941

Eastern Front Vol 2. January to July 1942

Eastern Front Vol 2. August to December 1942

Eastern Front Vol 2. January to June 1943

Eastern Front Vol 2. July to December 1943

 Eastern Front Vol 4. 1944. January - June, Issue 1

Eastern Front Vol 4. 1944. July - December, Issue 1

As well as some other interesting stuff.

In self extracting zips (Word 97 compatible) documents and Adobe PDF's