U.S. used only b24s in the pacific

[Citabria]

except in the begining when b17s flew for a few months.

after the first months of ww2 all b17s were sent to europe and only b24 liberators took on the roll of heavy bombardment in the pacific.

you guys working on the pacific planeset?


just remember this

[AKSWulfe]

B-25H played a big role too.

It was used a lot in the anti-ship strike role because of it's 75mm cannon.
-SW

[Nefarious]

The B24 still played a HUGE role in the war in Europe and Italy.

And after the B-29 was introduced what did the B24 bomb then?

Saying that the US only used B24's in the Pac Theatre is a pretty Harsh statement from fester.

Ouch.

[jordi]

Originally posted by Citabria
except in the begining when b17s flew for a few months.

after the first months of ww2 all b17s were sent to europe and only b24 liberators took on the roll of heavy bombardment in the pacific.

you guys working on the pacific planeset?


just remember this

SUNDAY, 3 JANUARY 1943

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area) The 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-17s, based on Fiji, begins operating from Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides and Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.


MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY 1943

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb the runway and aircraft dispersal areas at Rabaul, New Britain Island.

TUESDAY, 2 MARCH 1943

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
The Battle of the Bismarck Sea begins. On 28 Feb, the Japanese had dispatched a force of 8 destroyers and 8 transports from Rabaul to reinforce their New Guinea forces; this convoy was spotted yesterday. Today, 28 B-17s of the 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) attack in 2 waves, the first 8 B-17's sinking 1 transport and claim 3 Zekes shot down.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17's attack a convoy off Kavieng, and airfields at Gasmata and Cape Gloucester. In New Guinea, B-17's attack the town of Madang.


FRIDAY, 7 MAY 1943

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In New Guinea, B-17's and B-24's bomb the airfield, supply dumps, and other targets at Madang while A-20's hit forces in the Green's Hill area.  In Timor, B-25's pound Penfoei.


WEDNESDAY, 2 JUNE 1943

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In New Guinea, B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields at Wewak, Boram, Dagua, and But. Isolated shipping strikes result in little damage to vessels and barges.

THURSDAY, 1 JULY 1943

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields at Rabaul on New Britain Island
in the Bismarck Archipelago.

.
.
.

So at least thru the middle of '43 B17's were still in operation.

Jordi

[akak]

By mid-1943, most Fortresses had been withdrawn from the Pacific in favor of the longer-ranged B-24 Liberator. The B-24 was better suited for operations in the Pacific, having a higher speed and a larger bombload at medium altitudes. In addition, the losses in Europe were reaching such magnitudes that the entire B-17 production was urgently needed for replacements and training in that theatre. Shortly after the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, it was decided that no more B-17s would be sent to the Pacific. It was to be in the European theatre of operations that the B-17 was to gain its reputation. In fact, the B-17 flew 98 percent of its combat sorties in Europe.

source: B-17 in the Pacific Theatre


On a side note, if anyone recalls the actress Swoosie Kurtz, she was named after the surviving Clark B-17, which is the oldest B-17 in existance.


Ack-Ack
479th FG - Riddle's Raiders

[Packy]

Originally posted by akak



source: B-17 in the Pacific Theatre


On a side note, if anyone recalls the actress Swoosie Kurtz, she was named after the surviving Clark B-17, which is the oldest B-17 in existance.


Ack-Ack
479th FG - Riddle's Raiders

I was sold until the sentence...

"In fact, the B-17 flew 98 percent of its combat sorties in Europe."

It sounds a bit incredulous but you may be right.

[GRUNHERZ]

Originally posted by Citabria



just remember this

Remember also that B24 had terrible handling, weak structure, and burned like a torch when hit.

[Buzzbait]

S! Grunherz

Considerable exaggeration there....

The B-24 only looks fragile when compared to the B-17 or B-29 which were veritable flying tanks.

When compared to German, Soviet, Italian or Japanese aircraft, it's pretty damn good.

[Citabria]

and 10 50 cal.

grunherz our AH b17 burns like a torch when hit too.

besides you know my love for particular planes like p38 an b24 are because they are after all... underdogs with redeaming qualities.

[palef]

Best reason for getting the B24? Jimmy Stewart flew them

palef

[GRUNHERZ]

Yep I know you actually care about the planes you fly.

And that was in comparison to B17 Buzzbait.

But a lot of the non USA aircraft are pretty tough too. I read of an acount of a JU88 taking several thousand hits by a bunch of 303 Spits and returned home ok. Not 20mm cannon of course but still pretty impressive for such a small plane. But then again Ju88 was designed by some US engineers working for Junkers.

[LtHans]

The B-24 only looks fragile when compared to the B-17 or B-29 which were veritable flying tanks.

Only got two questions for you then.

1.  What are you smoking?
2.  Where can I get some?

The B-29 was never considered tough.  It was the complete opposite.  It didn't take much to down one.  The presurised compartments pop like a balloon when hit (don't recall if they depressurised them over the combat area...logic says they would).  Also, the engines were very tempermental and often caught fire on their own.

[Angus]

German ace Heinz Knoeke mentioned that the B24 burned very fiercly from a much less damage than the B17. Wonder if he was flying in the Pacific.
But seriously, the B24 was used quite much in Europe, both for sorties deep into enemy territory and also for coastal/ocean patrols.

[Fishu]

IRC brits had their own B24s too...

Germans KG200 had B24 or two also :>
then few more for spare parts.

[Hajo]

As I recall my History.........Liberators made at least two of the attacks on Ploesti.

Hajo