|
Re: Operation Steinbock question
From what info. I have between Jan.21st and May 31st 1944 attacks on the UK were made on 52 nights with a total of some 4700 sorties by the Luftwaffe giving a potential to drop 8000T (approx) on the UK. During attacks on London, Bristol, Hull, Portsmouth, Plymouth,Torquay, Falmouth plus Intruder/Recon missions and during transfer flights prior to raids some 335 a/c were lost ( based mainly on NVM's where there was injury/loss of crews reported, other aircraft losses happened where the crew were safe see Ulf Balkes KG 2 history which illustrates this). By aircraft type at least the following are recorded 165 Ju 88's, 60 Ju188's, 42 Do217's, 21 He 177's, 20 Fw190's, 24 Me410's plus 2 recon. Bf109's and 1 Bf109 desertion in the period. These losses caused the Luftwaffe to lose some 1100 aircrew either killed,wounded or POW with at least another 100 injured in crashes on the Continent against some 1600 people killed in the UK,
In the period Jan.21st to Mar.25th. against a potential to have dropped approx. 3500 T. of bombs on the UK it was estimated that 1885 T. landed in this country with only 760T landing in the London area which was the main target in this period. Up untill the raid on Feb.18/19th the RAF assessment was that the bombing was poor with better results for the rest of February but falling off again after this. Raids on Brisol and Hull were judged as failures ( see PRO file WO199/912 )
I guess these figures show what people have to suffer in war when 760 T. of bombs to London in a two month period is looked on as failing, I hope this is of help and my sums are right,
Regards
Brian Bines
|