The Air War in Europe

In late 1942, American airmen joined British and Commonwealth allies in North Africa, fighting Erwin Rommel's Afrika Corps. The 9th and 12th Air Forces saw their first action, helping to thwart the advancing Axis armies and drive them out of Africa.

From November 1942 to May 1943, four B17 groups carried the burden of the daylight bombing campaign over German occupied Europe. With no replacements and no relief in sight, they fought the weather, they fought the Germans, they fought the strain.

As more groups arrived, and more missions were flown, the lack of training bomber crews had received before shipping overseas became obvious. They had to innovate, to learn by doing, and began to build the doctrine that would shape the air war.

What is the difference between strategic and tactical employment of air power, broadly speaking?

In the late summer of 1942, the USAAF built up strength in England, new fighter and bomber groups made the Atlantic crossing and began training for missions. The 97th BG became the first heavy bomb group on operational status, hitting targets in northern France in mid-August.

Mission 1: Baptism. American involvement in the air war got off to a bloody start. On July 4th, 1942, six American crews joined six British crews to attack four German airfields in occupied Holland. Two of the American crews and one British crew were lost. The 25% loss rate foreshadowed the costly, bloody lessons ahead.