Through the late summer of 1942, the 8th Bomber Command (soon to be renamed the 8th Air Force) continued to build up strength as new bomber groups began to arrive in England. They flew routes from the US that took them from Maine, to Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Northern Ireland and finally to their bases in East Anglia; chosen for its large open spaces and relatively flat terrain, close enough to the continent to allow for deep penetration into Axis airspace. The 97th BG, the first B-17 group to have arrived in England, was the first to achieve operational readiness and was chosen for the first mission from England flown by American heavy bombers.

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On July 4th, 1942, American airmen flew their first 'official' mission over occupied Europe. Six American crews accompanied an equal number of British planes to hit an airfield at De Kooy, in the Netherlands. Though there was clearly PR value, the mission was not a great success. It was a harbinger for things to come.

references:

Gerald Astor: The Mighty Eighth - The Air War In Europe As Told By The Men Who Fought It

Donald L. Miller: Masters of the Air - America's Bomber Boys Who Fought The Air War Against Nazi Germany

Martin W. Bowman: Castles in the Air - The story of the B-17 Flying Fortress crews of the US 8th Air Force

Roger A. Freeman: The Mighty Eighth - A History of the U.S. 8th Army Air Force

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit airwareurope.substack.com