[303rd-Talk] WWII Planes

[Bob Van Pelt]

The YB-40 was another that escorted the bombers in 1943.  This was a B-17 fitted out with extra guns and ammo with no bomb load.  They proved unpratical, though, as they were heavier than a fully loaded bomber and could not keep up with the formations.  Several were allocated to the Aphrodite Project.
   
  C-47s were also used to drop chaf (window) over the Channel to confuse enemy radar.  I read a story about several B-17s and C-47s that flew a retangular pattern over the Channel on D-Day dropping window.
   
  The Scouting Forces also accompanied bombers, using P-51s and P-38s, and flew ahead of the bombers to relay info on weather, target obscurity (smoke pots), and fighters in the target area.  (Spider, where are you?)
   
  The 7th Photo Recon unit flew behind the bomber stream, using P-38s fitted with cameras that took photos for Bomb Damage Assesment.  They also flew in advance of missions for aerial phot recon and intel.  The a/c carried no weapons, the theory being the lighter load would increase airspeed to outrun the enemy.  (I can't imagine flying into hostile territory with no means of defense - these men had guts!)
   
  Rex:  The Spitfire was a remarkable plane, and did escort bombers early in the war, but limited range prevented them from deep penetrations over the Continent.
   
  One of the facinating facts of the air war was the use of diversionary forces.  These bombers streams, sometimes B-17s, B-24s, B-26s, A-26s, and even Mosquitos, were sent ahead of the Main Force to divert enemy fighters from the main effort.  By splitting up the enemy fighters with good timing, the Main Force was able to skirt areas of enemy fighter concentrations,........at least in theory....allowing more bombers to reach the primary.  The movie Target for Today underscores this principle.
   
  The men who flew these planes were all heros in my book.
  Bob Van Pelt
   
  
 

       
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