Weather Is A Killer

[Jim Oxley]

Weather conditions had an enormous impact on aerial operations the Pacific. Far more so than Europe. And no where more so than over New Guinea.

Of the losses on 'combat missions' in the 5th Air Force over New Guinea roughly 60% were caused by enemy action (1,488 out of 2,494), the balance attributed to foul weather.

By comparison, even with the notoriously bad weather over Europe, the majority of the losses on combat missions in that theatre were due to enemy action (9,654 out of 11,687 ie 82.6%).

[Above info obtained from the Army Air Force Stastical Digest]