| TomcatViP |
03-06-2012 10:45 PM |
Shuttle missions
To reach some deep target in the 3rd Reich, the B17 and B24 had to land in Russian held territories. Then after refill rest and repair they flew back in England attacking target on their way back home.
The P51 was the only fighter capable of escorting the bombers all the way and had to land on VVS base where they were ordered to handle the protection of the Bomber's base to the Soviets. Some of the mission flown from North Africa also landed in Russia.
One day a Reconnaissance Ju88/188 followed the bombers down to their Russian base and the night after the Luftwaffe flew on of its most daring night raid attacking the bombers base destroying something like 30/50 B17. It was the deadliest attack the 8th air force had to suffer.
Interestingly some of the soon to be major generals after the war of the Bomber command (the SAC) were on station at that time in Russia. It is said that the inabilities of the Soviet armed force to protect the bomber and their crew had a detrimental effect on their perception of the Russian military system that can be routed in their aggressive strategy toward the VVS in the 50's and early 60's.
There was also some missions where the bomber taking off in England flew Sth across Europe after their bombing raid down-to North Africa.
Back OT : I will flew with pleasure a well modeled I-16
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