[Boomerang]

Nick:

One point I believe worth considering is that the 8AF's ability to put up very large numbers of bombers in 1944 was due to the very success of the escort force in gaining air superiority and hence reducing bomber losses.

In other words, the success of the USAAF fighters was responsible, to an extent, for the increase in 8AF bomber numbers. It might be interesting to compare the rate at which fresh bombers were supplied from the US with best guesses of bomber losses in the absence of escort fighters and see what size bomber force results i.e. an 'aircraft balance'.

The absence of an escort fighter force may also have allowed an increase in the size of the defending fighter force and unhindered use of the twin-engine fighters using rockets in stand-off attacks.

That said, an absolutely fascinating issue to consider.

Cheers

Boomerang