Quote:
Originally Posted by drgondog
Igor - these were among many corroborating and supportive statements by Galland, Rall, Krupinski, Steinhoff and others at a Fighter Aces convention in Tuscon some 25 years ago.
It was of zero importance to RAF Heavy Bomber ops at night, or medium range bomber escort during the day (Spit, Tempest, P-47, P-38 could all perform this role) - but the daylight strategic raids would have been stopped and the Oil Campaign never started in time had it not been for the Merlin powered Mustang.
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As I already mention, I am very careful with the statements of former LW stars.
From the technical and tactical point of view I am agreed with you, but I am disagree with the consequences. Not a Mustang was a key issue, but a further splintering of the german forces. If not a landing in Normandy, if not an advance of soviet army into Romania( with cutting of 45% of german oil supply) and deep in German, all efforts of USAAF were without any result, as Beeg Week, bombing of ball-bearing industry etc.
The german would able to manage also the oil crisis, as they managed all other. The would reallocate the syntethic fuel production under ground. In june 45 Speer planed delivery of 30000 to fuel from underground facility