Author Topic: B-17 People, please (Read 1323 times)

Reynolds · « **on:** November 26, 2006, 10:32:59 PM »

Alright, I have been studying B-17s, the 303 Bombardment Group, and the 8th Air Force Bomber Campaign as mucha s I can possibly afford to, but one question still elludes me. How many ships made up an average B-17 mission in the 8th Air Force?

Ball · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2006, 03:47:08 AM »

this is a great book if you are interested in the 8th AF campaign, squeaker: -

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=battles%20with%20the%20luftwaffe&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

Reynolds · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2006, 05:46:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ball
squeaker: -QUOTE]

#1, ive already bought all of the books I can afford, but none yeilded this magic number, and

#2 there is no need for that comment, my voice isnt that high, and I rarely ever use my mic anyway, I prefer to type.

Treize69 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2006, 06:17:46 PM »

Depended on the point of the war, the target, and the effort expended on that target. Early on, only a few dozen then a few hundred. Take into account diversionary raids, mechanical aborts, and multiple waves going at the same area, and its gets a little interesting trying to pin down an exact number.

I always figured a 1944-45 "maximum effort" to consist of about 1,000 to 1,200 bombers and about 750-900 fighters between main effort, diversionary raids, fighter sweeps, initial escort, escort over target, withdrawal escort...

Aluminum overcast indeed

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2006, 06:38:11 PM »

Squeaker,

I'd imagine it would depend a lot on what the mission target was. Some targets would be considered "maximum effort" and would have 1000's of bombers up to hit that target while some less vital targets would see as low as a few dozen or less bombers hitting the target.

Guppy/CorkyJr might be able to get the specifics as he's a genius in researching this type of stuff.

ack-ack

Guppy35 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2006, 06:38:36 PM »

Reynolds. The below image is a scan of a "Flimsy" that was issued for each mission showing placement of the squadrons, aircraft within the squadrons, pilots with aircraft number etc.

This is from a 454th BG mission which was B24s with the 15th AF, but the 8th would have been similar. I count 28 birds in this mission.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2006, 06:49:15 PM »

This is from a book on the 303rd BG called "Half a Wing, Three engines and a Prayer" By Brian O'Donnell, the covers the 25 missions of a particular crew of the 303rd, along with expanding on what happened on each of the missions around them.

Good read. PM me your snail mail and I'll send ya my battered old copy if you are really serious about this 303rd history stuff.

Be sure and note the details below the image as it explains about exactly what you are looking for.

Reynolds · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2006, 12:42:28 AM »

So, between twelve and twelve hundred... wow... lots of room to vary...

Treize69 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2006, 08:25:13 AM »

Great book, take it if you can. Got it out of the library years ago, one of the first 8th AAF books I remember reading.

Major Biggles · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2006, 11:04:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Reynolds
Quote
Originally posted by Ball
squeaker: -QUOTE]

#1, ive already bought all of the books I can afford, but none yeilded this magic number, and

#2 there is no need for that comment, my voice isnt that high, and I rarely ever use my mic anyway, I prefer to type.

you're like 14 right reynolds? try not to act so seriously, take it easy, relax a bit and don't let furby get to your head, he's just a bit of a prankster

Debonair · « **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2006, 03:32:25 PM »

did B-24 groups in The 8th use a different box formation?

MiloMorai · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2006, 04:03:13 PM »

Try this site Reynolds, http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/

Reynolds · « **Reply #12 on:** November 28, 2006, 07:15:52 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Major Biggles
you're like 14 right reynolds? try not to act so seriously, take it easy, relax a bit and don't let furby get to your head, he's just a bit of a prankster

I know, im just tired of his pointless remarks. Yeah, im 14, but my voice aint that squeaky. If he could have just left it out... but thats asking too much maturity of him

And Milo, thanks! (Im going to be reading that for another year!)

Overlag · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2006, 05:04:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Major Biggles
you're like 14 right reynolds? try not to act so seriously, take it easy, relax a bit and don't let furby get to your head, he's just a bit of a prankster

.

hes alot more grown up than most people in this place..... hell when i first joined his squad i thought he was in his mid 20s like me.... lol:eek:

Ball · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2006, 05:06:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Reynolds
I know, im just tired of his pointless remarks. Yeah, im 14, but my voice aint that squeaky. If he could have just left it out... but thats asking too much maturity of him

And Milo, thanks! (Im going to be reading that for another year!)

pointless? it was part of a sentence in which i recommended a book to you