Opinions please (impact Allied fighter bombers on D-day)

[Graham Boak]

The suggestion that the fighter bombers had comparatively little effect is an argument based to the usefulness or not of the unguided rocket against main battle tanks, and then mainly due to the conclusions of one single report that investigated the battlefield some weeks after the fighting. Only very few tanks wrecks could be found that could undoubtedly be credited to the rocket.

However, the main effect was not just against armour but the much more numerous softskins, and not just in absolute kills but in terms of disruption. Before the invasion there was dispute between Rommel, whose experience of Allied airpower had convinced him of its effectiveness, and the more traditional generals who wished to keep the reserve away from the frontline. Rommel argued that Allied airpower would prevent the movement of the reserves in time to affect the landing. He was proven right.

The Mustang was not a major player in Allied "jabo" missions, the key aircraft being the Typhoon and the P-47, with the Spitfire a little way behind. At this stage the Mustang was largely limited to air-to-air operations.