The Big Week - Dismantling of the Luftwaffe

It became apparent to Allied leaders that the invasion of the European mainland was not to be until the German Luftwaffe was held in check. The Luftwaffe was at strength and as experienced as ever and any such invasion plan would surely be compromised without complete air superiority on the part of the Allies. As such, a plan was devised between Britain and the United States to strike at the heart of the German War Machine - the industrial might that kept the Luftwaffe aloft.

Targets would be aircraft production facilities, development stations and supply centers. Not only would Allied bomber crews have to contend with deadly fighters but also the efficient flak defenses surrounding key German areas. The bombers were helped somewhat in that their escort fighters - P-38s, P-47s and P-51s - now sported drop tanks for increased range and could follow the bomber formations to and from targets within Germany - applying defense on the spot. The American Army Air Force would be charged with brazen daylight raids while the British Royal Air Force would utilize their radar expertise and continue the attack in the dark of night. Losses were imminent but the death of the Luftwaffe was an important matter to ensure complete victory in Europe.

Weather delayed the initial operation for a time but on the night of February 19th, RAF bombers went airborne in an 823-strong formation to attack a target in Leipzig. 78 of these attackers were lost to the German defense that still included the all-important night-fighter arm. The Americans followed suit with a 1,008-strong showing, comprised of B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators, against multiple target areas across Germany.

The German defense lived up to its billing and fought a relentless counter-campaign in return. One has to keep in mind that a typical bomber crew was made up of eight to ten airmen as opposed to a fighter which was crewed by a single individual. So for ever Allied bomber lost to a German fighter, ten souls to one could be lost with it. This held a devastating morale effect to squadrons and families and proved a tremendous logistical loss elsewhere.

Attacks of this grand magnitude continued for the week, resulting in the name of "The Big Week" being applied to the time February frame. At the end of it all, the Allied assault netted some 3,300 sorties resulting in the loss of 226 bombers as well as 28 fighters. The Germans lost 290 fighters of their own - many of these with their experienced pilots as well - and lost a further 90 to damage. Additionally, German fighter production was disrupted for a time though not wholly destroyed.

Regardless, the Allies still made headway in their liberation of Europe for their numbers and bravado were growing with each passing success. The German Luftwaffe, on the other hand, was staring into the face of their own demise for their invulnerable Luftwaffe was essentially the first deathblow that would reverberate into 1945 - the final year of the war in which the Allies would gain complete air superiority.