[303rd-Talk] Re: 303rd-Talk Digest, Vol 14, Issue 4

[Gordy Alton]

Thanks for the good info, Bob.
The one stat that has always amazed me was the fuel used. How in the
world did the Navies keep up with the demand, and how many ships and men
were lost getting that many millions of gallons to England? I am not
asking for an answer, just being rhetorical, but it is truly amazing
that all that fuel and ammo was brought over from N. America by boat,
fighting wolfpacks all the way.

Gordy.

Gordon Alton
Saltspring Island, BC
"Please remember those who gave so
much for the freedom you enjoy this day."

-----Original Message-----
From: 303rd-talk-bounces at 303rdBG.com
[mailto:303rd-talk-bounces at 303rdBG.com]On Behalf Of Bob Van Pelt
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 8:13 AM
To: 303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] Re: 303rd-Talk Digest, Vol 14, Issue 4

Gordon:  The 8th Air Force was made up of several sub groups - two of
which were VIII Bomber Command and VIII Fighter Command.  (These
designations may have changed during the war.)  VIII Fighter Command was
usually charged with protecting the bombers until the fighters were
allowed to break off escort duties and take the fight to the Luftwaffe
on the ground and in the air.  I believe this occurred somewhere around
Big Week, 20 February 1944, Operation Aurgument.

  The fighters had their own bases with names like Steeple Morden,
King's Cliff, Boxted, Leiston and Martlesham Heath.  The fighters would
sometimes take off after the bombers had taken off.  Remember, the
bombers flew at 150 to 160 mph and the fighters flew much faster, so
they would leave later to rednevouz with the bombers at some
predetermined point over the Continent.

  Assembly is one of the most remarkable aspects of a bomber mission.  I
have heard one in seven bombers lost in the ETO was lost either during
assembly or returning from a mission.  It is hard today to comprehend
the logisitcs that went in to putting up 1,000+ bomber missions
considering most everything was made in America, flown or brought to the
UK on Liberty ships, and then distributed to each station.  Here are
some stats given to me by Ed Kueppers from the 8th AFHS a few years ago:

  Typical Eighth Air Force Mission - Mid 1944

  Heavy Bombers:                    1,400
  Fighters:                                    800
  Gasoline:                                   3.5 million gallons
  Ammunition:                           250,000
  German A/C Destroyed:                25
  U.S. Fighter Losses:                        4
  U.S. Bomber Losses:                       5
  Bombing Accuracy:
                          40% - 1,000 yards of MPI
                          75% - 2,000 yards of MPI

  The 9th Tactical Air Force supported the troops on the ground before
and after D-Day by flying missions in support of our advancing boys.
They would knock out troop concentrations, tanks, artillery (any thing
that moved), transportation targets (train busters) and communications
targets, as well as strafe airfields.  A good friend of mine, Tom
Liston,362nd Fighter Group, was at Wormingford originally assigned to
the 8th and then after D-Day the entire group was transfered to the 9th
AF, moved to the Contienent, and flew tactical support missions from
there.

Bob Van Pelt