German bombers so much tougher than RAF bombers?

[Blackdog_kt]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

For a VERY short distance and using external bomb racks.

For a more realistic view of what the B-17 carried read http://www.303rdbg.com/missions.html

The Mosquito could carry one 4000lb Cookie or 6 x 500lb bombs (4 internal + 2 external).

The Avro carrier could take 6 x 500lb bombs internally but afaik was never used.

That's an awesome link, tons of mission reports.

It's also very enlightening about how easy it was to be forced to abort a mission. Engine troubles, missing vital equipment, malfunctions of important aircraft systems, crewmen unable to continue because of a simple cold and so on.
And before anyone scoffs at it, a common cold can really mess you up in an unpressurised aircraft that flies at those altitudes, because your ears/nose are blocked and you can't effectively equalize the pressure as the aircraft climbs. Air can be trapped inside, expand as you climb and give you a royal headache or even damage your ear drums.

Also very interesting details on the bomb loads used. Most reports i saw state 5000lbs or so. They also mention incendiaries quite frequently and fire-bombing of civilian areas, which i thought was not systematically practiced in the ETO during daylight bombing raids. Some reports give as low as 3000lb bomb loads if a bomb bay fuel tank had to be carried for extra range.

All in all a great read