15 AF 'Big Week' 22-Feb-44

[Richard Mills]

I am hoping that someone might be able to clear up some details concerning the 15 AF on 22-Feb-44 during 'Big Week'.

There seems to be some conflicting figures concerning the numbers of B-17, B-24 bombers that took part, and also no details on the amount of P-38 escort fighters.

I have seen mention of Despatched 284, Effective 197 (and also 204 & 206 as effective also).

Can someone please detail the accurate number of 5 BW (Prüfening & Zagreb Airfield) & 47 BW (Obertraubling) aircraft that were despatched and subsequently effective?

Also, i can find no details of the supporting P-38 FGs escort fighters, are there any details of numbers despatched known at all?

if anyone can help at all it will be gratfully received. Many thanks in advance.

Regards Richard.

[Rottler]

Hello Richard,

according to JFV 13/I on 22 Feb 1944 the 15th USAAF dispatched 284 bombers, 155 were effective. The rest missed their targets and dropped the bombs at alternate targets and targets of opportunity (Olching/Bavaria, Zagreb, Sibenik and the harbor of Zara/Yugoslavia).
122 P-38 and 63 P-47 were dispatched.
118 B-24 were dispatched to Obertraubling, 94 were effective.
65 B-17 missed the target Prüfening (navigation error) and dropped their bombs without effect in the area Bad Abbach southwest of Prüfening.

Regards
Leo

[udf_00]

Fifteenth Air Force Story by Kenn C. Rust
p.14
Obertraubling 118 B-24 (14 losses)
Prüfening 65 B-17 (5 losses)
Escort losses 1 P-38 & 1 P-47

Petershausen Marshalling Yard 21 B-17
Zagreb Airdrome 28 B-17

Sibenik B-24 of the 304th Wing

[Richard Mills]

Originally Posted by Rottler

Hello Richard, according to JFV 13/I on 22 Feb 1944 the 15th USAAF dispatched 284 bombers, 155 were effective. The rest missed their targets and dropped the bombs at alternate targets and targets of opportunity (Olching/Bavaria, Zagreb, Sibenik and the harbor of Zara/Yugoslavia).
122 P-38 and 63 P-47 were dispatched.
118 B-24 were dispatched to Obertraubling, 94 were effective.
65 B-17 missed the target Prüfening (navigation error) and dropped their bombs without effect in the area Bad Abbach southwest of Prüfening.

Regards Leo

Originally Posted by udf_00

Fifteenth Air Force Story by Kenn C. Rust p.14
Obertraubling 118 B-24 (14 losses)
Prüfening 65 B-17 (5 losses)
Escort losses 1 P-38 & 1 P-47

Petershausen Marshalling Yard 21 B-17
Zagreb Airdrome 28 B-17
Sibenik B-24 of the 304th Wing

Leo & udf_00
Thnak you very much indeed for both of your replies, which has helped a great deal.
Can I ask, is it known how many B-17s were despactched for Prüfening, and how many were effective?
Just to confirm, Petershausen Marshalling Yard 21 B-17 & Zagreb Airdrome 28 B-17, so if it was 65 B-17 at Prüfening that would be a total of 114 effective.

Could you please confirm as I am tieing myself in knots here!
Many thanks indeed for your help.

Regards Richard.

[Rottler]

Hello Richard,

118 B-24 were dispatched for Regensburg-Obertraubling, 94 reached this target.
65 B-17 were dispatched for Prüfening, 61 reached the target area but missed the Messerschmitt factory at Prüfening. So 94 + 61 = 155 bombers were effective concerning the target area Regensburg.
The 21 (Petershausen M/Y) and 28 (Zagreb drome) bombers are not included in the 155 bombers at the target area Regensburg.
Source: JFV 13/I

Regards
Leo

[Richard Mills]

Originally Posted by Rottler

Hello Richard,
118 B-24 were dispatched for Regensburg-Obertraubling, 94 reached this target.
65 B-17 were dispatched for Prüfening, 61 reached the target area but missed the Messerschmitt factory at Prüfening. So 94 + 61 = 155 bombers were effective concerning the target area Regensburg.
The 21 (Petershausen M/Y) and 28 (Zagreb drome) bombers are not included in the 155 bombers at the target area Regensburg.
Source: JFV 13/I. Regards Leo

Leo, thank you so much for that, you have explained it perfectly, and I think I am a little more aware of how the 'Effective' totals are compiled now!

Great help, and thanks for your time.

Regards Richard.