15 AF 'Big Week' 22-Feb-44
 

I am hoping that someone might be able to clear up some details concerning the 15 AF on 22-Feb-44 during 'Big Week'.

There seems to be some conflicting figures concerning the numbers of B-17, B-24 bombers that took part, and also no details on the amount of P-38 escort fighters.

I have seen mention of Despatched 284, Effective 197 (and also 204 & 206 as effective also).

Can someone please detail the accurate number of 5 BW (Prüfening & Zagreb Airfield) & 47 BW (Obertraubling) aircraft that were despatched and subsequently effective?

Also, i can find no details of the supporting P-38 FGs escort fighters, are there any details of numbers despatched known at all?

if anyone can help at all it will be gratfully received. Many thanks in advance.

Regards Richard.

Re: 15 AF 'Big Week' 22-Feb-44
 

Hello Richard,

according to JFV 13/I on 22 Feb 1944 the 15th USAAF dispatched 284 bombers, 155 were effective. The rest missed their targets and dropped the bombs at alternate targets and targets of opportunity (Olching/Bavaria, Zagreb, Sibenik and the harbor of Zara/Yugoslavia).
122 P-38 and 63 P-47 were dispatched.
118 B-24 were dispatched to Obertraubling, 94 were effective.
65 B-17 missed the target Prüfening (navigation error) and dropped their bombs without effect in the area Bad Abbach southwest of Prüfening.

Regards
Leo

Re: 15 AF 'Big Week' 22-Feb-44
 

Fifteenth Air Force Story by Kenn C. Rust
p.14
Obertraubling 118 B-24 (14 losses)
Prüfening 65 B-17 (5 losses)
Escort losses 1 P-38 & 1 P-47

Petershausen Marshalling Yard 21 B-17
Zagreb Airdrome 28 B-17

Sibenik B-24 of the 304th Wing

Re: 15 AF 'Big Week' 22-Feb-44
 

Leo & udf_00
Thnak you very much indeed for both of your replies, which has helped a great deal.
Can I ask, is it known how many B-17s were despactched for Prüfening, and how many were effective?
Just to confirm, Petershausen Marshalling Yard 21 B-17 & Zagreb Airdrome 28 B-17, so if it was 65 B-17 at Prüfening that would be a total of 114 effective.

Could you please confirm as I am tieing myself in knots here!
Many thanks indeed for your help.

Regards Richard.

Re: 15 AF 'Big Week' 22-Feb-44
 

Hello Richard,

118 B-24 were dispatched for Regensburg-Obertraubling, 94 reached this target.
65 B-17 were dispatched for Prüfening, 61 reached the target area but missed the Messerschmitt factory at Prüfening. So 94 + 61 = 155 bombers were effective concerning the target area Regensburg.
The 21 (Petershausen M/Y) and 28 (Zagreb drome) bombers are not included in the 155 bombers at the target area Regensburg.
Source: JFV 13/I

Regards
Leo

Re: 15 AF 'Big Week' 22-Feb-44
 

Leo, thank you so much for that, you have explained it perfectly, and I think I am a little more aware of how the 'Effective' totals are compiled now!

Great help, and thanks for your time.

Regards Richard.