I understand about WW II -- in retrospect, of course. In fact I've just finished reading a dozen books about that war. Nevertheless, it was enormously complex, and without a doubt felt as "crazy" as crazy can be for anyone unfortunate enough to live (or die) through it. (Do you know if the casualty rate for bomber pilot were 1/3?)
I understand about WW II -- in retrospect, of course. In fact I've just finished reading a dozen books about that war. Nevertheless, it was enormously complex, and without a doubt felt as "crazy" as crazy can be for anyone unfortunate enough to live (or die) through it. (Do you know if the casualty rate for bomber pilot were 1/3?)
In 1943, losses were likely to average to 10% overall without good escort on deep raids. However, loss of the airplane didn't mean loss of the crew (live that is), since in around 2/3 of the time half or more of the crew got out. 90% of them became POWs but they were alive.
By 1944, losses were well under 5%, and by the fall, when the Luftwaffe ran out of gas (literally) losses went down to 2% or so. Flak was always bad, averaging 1%.
Wow!! I thought that something I read said that a very large percent of men knew that there was a good chance that they were flying to their deaths. Good to know! Thank you.
they were. In 1945, with an 8-12% loss rate on missions, anyone flying their sixth mission was flying someone else's time, statistically. As I said, that didn't mean all died. But 8th AF losses between the first mission on August 17, 1942 and the final combat mission on April 29 1945 were more than the US Marines suffered between Guadalcanal and Okinawa invasions.
I understand about WW II -- in retrospect, of course. In fact I've just finished reading a dozen books about that war. Nevertheless, it was enormously complex, and without a doubt felt as "crazy" as crazy can be for anyone unfortunate enough to live (or die) through it. (Do you know if the casualty rate for bomber pilot were 1/3?)
In 1943, losses were likely to average to 10% overall without good escort on deep raids. However, loss of the airplane didn't mean loss of the crew (live that is), since in around 2/3 of the time half or more of the crew got out. 90% of them became POWs but they were alive.
By 1944, losses were well under 5%, and by the fall, when the Luftwaffe ran out of gas (literally) losses went down to 2% or so. Flak was always bad, averaging 1%.
Wow!! I thought that something I read said that a very large percent of men knew that there was a good chance that they were flying to their deaths. Good to know! Thank you.
they were. In 1945, with an 8-12% loss rate on missions, anyone flying their sixth mission was flying someone else's time, statistically. As I said, that didn't mean all died. But 8th AF losses between the first mission on August 17, 1942 and the final combat mission on April 29 1945 were more than the US Marines suffered between Guadalcanal and Okinawa invasions.
My husbands uncle was shot down over Germany in a bomber. They never got a clue as to where, but no info as to prisoner. Just goneтАж.
That is so sad...
Two other uncles were wounded, all the brothers went. So many families suffered.