Early Access: Luftwaffe VS. B-17
Added 2020-12-13 16:14:14 +0000 UTCHey all,
This is your early access to the next episode. In this video I look at multiple experience reports compiled by different German fighter Geschwader, on how they try to counter US American heavy bombers, and primarily the B-17. I have also worked in some visual examples that show several of the described attack patterns using War Thunder (Disclaimer: This episode is sponsored by War Thunder.)
Also remember you still have another video in early access, that being the look at a novel 20mm gunpod on the Bf 109.
I hope all of you enjoy and happy to hear your thoughts and feedback.
Chris
Comments
Revealing episode! Posted comment
Joe Kudrna
2020-12-17 20:22:02 +0000 UTCI guess the Americans noted the German preference for frontal attacks because starting with late B-17 F models they added a chin turret at the nose of the plane. I’m curious to know if that made the Germans change their preference for frontal attacks.
Miguel Aldaz
2020-12-16 18:52:31 +0000 UTCGreat presentation, many thanks for the citation and quotes from the report in BA-MA Luftwaffe records. The documentation supports and expands on some sources that might be of relevance: 1) a March 1945 Allied intelligence report, ADI(K) No. 215/1945, which summarizes combat experiences obtained from the interrogations of 22 Luftwaffe fighter pilots in the West, most of whom were captured as a result of "Bodenplatte" on 1. Jan. 45; and 2) interviews conducted by authors Alfred Price and Jeffrey L. Ethell with surviving German fighter pilots and B-17/B-24 crewmen who participated in the 8th AF raid on Berlin on 6. March 44 (in their 1981 book TARGET BERLIN. MISSION 250: 6 MARCH 1944 (Jane's). Price especially quotes the experiences of Gruppe CO of I/JG 11, Hpt. Rolf Hermichen, who led the head-on attack against the 100th Bomb Group over Haseluenne.
Timothy Mulligan
2020-12-15 03:09:33 +0000 UTCExcellent..my mind always thinks of long Hollywood style battles..vs brief, out of the blue crazy stuff..the psychology of both fighters and bomber crews must by interesting..also evolution as Luftwaffe lacked experienced pilots
John aitken
2020-12-14 15:04:12 +0000 UTCExcellent; informative and interesting. I'd be interested in a follow up video at some point addressing how Luftwaffe tactics changed (and were documented/analyzed) in 1944 and 1945 when the conditions were very different--the American heavy bomber flights now being escorted all the way to targets by longer range and capable escorts (notably the P51s) and the attrition and loss of experienced Luftwaffe fighter pilots. Cheers!
2020-12-13 18:30:54 +0000 UTC:)
Military Aviation History
2020-12-13 16:27:57 +0000 UTCPeeeeerfect Sunday pleasure 👍
Jens Backman
2020-12-13 16:15:05 +0000 UTC
