How well did American bombers fight enemy fighters in World War II?

How accurate were bombers in ww2?

While accuracy improved during the war, Survey studies show that, in the over-all, only about 20% of the bombs aimed at precision targets fell within this target area. A peak accuracy of 70% was reached for the month of February 1945.

What was the casualty rate for bombers in ww2?

44.4 per cent

Casualties. Bomber Command crews suffered an extremely high casualty rate: 55,573 killed out of a total of 125,000 aircrew (a 44.4 per cent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war. This covered all Bomber Command operations.

How many fighters were shot down by bombers?

The United States claimed that they destroyed 241 German fighters, broken-down as follows: bomber crews claimed 210 and their fighter escort claimed 31.

What was the most effective bomber of ww2?

It could also carry a large payload of bombs, making it ideal for strategic bombing missions. The B-17 was one of the most effective bombers of the war, helping to secure victory for the Allies. The de Havilland Mosquito was a British twin-engined light bomber used by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
Nov 16, 2022

What was the most feared American plane in WW2?

Junkers Ju87 Widely known as the “Stuka”, the Ju87 was one of the most feared aircraft during World War Two. It had a fearsome siren which terrified those who heard it. Lockheed Hudson Useful aeroplane.

Has the US ever lost a stealth bomber?

On , Spirit of Kansas, a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber of the United States Air Force, crashed on the runway moments after takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. The aircraft was destroyed, but both crew members successfully ejected.

What was the life expectancy of a tail gunner?

The Rear-Turret Gunners were in the most vulnerable position on the Plane. The life expectancy of a WW2 Rear-gunner varied but was never high, mostly about just 5-Sorties.

Who shot down the most aircraft in WW2?

While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills. How did Hartmann get so good at dominating the skies over the Eastern Front?



What was the life expectancy of a B-17 crew?

Nothing in the peacetime lives of thousands of young Americans had prepared them for the violence that lay ahead. Although such statistics were not circulated among Army Air Forces crews, the average life expectancy of an Eighth Air Force B-17 in late 1943 was 11 missions.

Who shot down the most planes in history?

Erich „Bubi“ Hartmann

1. Erich „Bubi“ Hartmann. Erich Hartmann is the most successful fighter pilot of all times – with 352 kills. A number that will never be surpassed.

Has the US ever shot down a Russian plane?

On 1 May 1960, a United States U-2 spy plane was shot down by the Soviet Air Defence Forces while conducting photographic aerial reconnaissance deep inside Soviet territory.





1960 U-2 incident
Date 1 May 1960
Executed by Soviet Air Defense Forces
Outcome American aircraft shot down, pilot Francis Gary Powers captured

Who shot down the most planes in a day?

Emil Lang shot down 18 Soviet fighters on 3 November 1943, the most kills on a single day by any pilot in history. August Lambert shot down 17 Soviet aircraft on a single day in 1944. Hubert Strassl shot down 15 Soviet aircraft on 5 July 1943 near Orel.

Was Stuka accurate?

Stukas proved critical to the rapid conquest of Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and France in 1940. Though sturdy, accurate, and very effective against ground targets, the Stuka was, like many other dive bombers of the period, vulnerable to fighter aircraft.

Was dive bombing effective in ww2?

The US Navy’s primary dive-bomber at the war’s start, the bomber earned its reputation—and helped earn victory—at the 1942 Battle of Midway, sinking four Japanese carriers. By some accounts, the Dauntless sank more Japanese ships than any other plane.

How accurate are precision bombs?

These systems could provide an accuracy of about 100 yards radius, and were supplemented by the downward-looking radar system H2S.

How accurate were ww2 battleships?

Even with a talented gunner the accuracy of the ship’s main guns was only about 32 percent at nine miles against a battleship-size target, according to a Naval War College study during World War II. For ground targets that could shells striking hundreds of yards away from the intended point of impact.
Jan 3, 2014



What was the most feared warship in ww2?

The Scharnhorst was greatly feared. She was the most successful fighting ship of any navy during World War II and she was the bravest ship. We were full speed at 36 knots and going through those mountainous seas.
Dec 26, 2011

Has a U.S. aircraft carrier ever been sunk in battle?

Twelve aircraft carriers were sunk by the enemy during World War II — five fleet carriers, a seaplane tender and six escort carriers. The loss of the Bismarck Sea was the last time that a U.S. carrier went down due to enemy action.

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