The Mighty Eighth Air Force’s battles with the Luftwaffe in late 1943 are legendary among the flying community.  Strategic bombing as a concept was put to the test, against the Luftwaffe fighter forces when they were at their strongest.

The Schweinfurt – Regensburg Mission in August of 1943 almost immediately became infamous among the Eighth Air Force B-17 combat units.  This was the first deep penetration raid into the German interior, to attack the aircraft industries.  A vigorous defense was fully expected.  To confuse and dilute that fighter response, the bombers introduced deception into the flight plan.  After penetrating into Germany, the B-17s would separate and attack two separate cities.  It was hoped this separation would disrupt Luftwaffe fighter coordination, this decreasing losses in the B-17 units.

A weather delay at the English bases prevented the bomb groups from achieving the coordinated assault that was intended to disrupt the Luftwaffe fighter intercepts.  This resulted in the Schweinfurt attack force bearing the brunt of the fighter attacks.

Air operations, specific missions, and air campaigns can be difficult to explain due to the incredibly fast paced nature those events.  There are so many factors to keep track of during flight operations.  This graphic illustrates the flight times and events of forces involved along a common timeline axis to provide that situational and relational awareness.  The detailed event data enables a comprehensive understanding of heavy bomber and fighter defense operations in late 1943.

Operational feasibility, contingency planning, and the need to thoroughly understand the assumptions underlying those plans and assessments are key professional development concepts associated with this graphic.  
 

Data is derived from after action reports and primary sources.

- Photographic quality ink jet print, achieved with Lucia pigment inks on heavy weight museum grade - archival fine art matte paper

- Product Dimensions – 60 inch width x 44 inch height (152 cm width x 112 cm height)

We provide the print.  Clients will need to have the print professionally mounted and framed.  A custom made frame will be required.  

Price $6,000