The Bombers Over Germany: RAF vs. USAAF in World War II

During World War II, the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) played crucial roles in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. While the RAF was responsible for a significant portion of the early bombing raids, ultimately, both air forces contributed to a significant number of bombs dropped on Germany.

The Early Days: RAF Dominance

The RAF's Bomber Command engaged in nighttime bombing raids against Germany almost immediately upon the outbreak of war, in September 1939. The first USAAF raid did not occur until August 1945, three years later. By that time, the RAF's Stirlings, Halifaxes, and Lancasters were routinely bombing Germany with payloads of over 8,000 pounds. In contrast, the B-17, a much vaunted American bomber, could only carry 4,000 pounds of bombs, a limitation due to its large ammunition load, three additional crew members, and a small bomb bay designed to drop a 1,000-pound bomb 1,000 miles from the continental USA.

Strategic Bombing: RAF and USAAF Tactics

While the USAAF focused on precision bombing of industrial targets and infrastructure, the RAF employed area bombing tactics, aiming to destroy entire cities and their war production capabilities. By the end of the war, the RAF had dropped approximately 1.1 million tons of bombs on Germany, while the USAAF's Day Force, which conducted daylight bombing raids, dropped around 600,000 tons of bombs. However, significant challenges were faced, particularly by the USAAF Day Force.

For example, during the early stages of the war, the RAF had to contend with the German air force (Luftwaffe) over France. By 1941-1942, Fighter Command had experienced significant setbacks at the hands of the Germans and sought to avoid being engaged during daylight hours for the rest of the war. This showcased the strategic importance of avoiding direct confrontations with the Luftwaffe, as daylight operations were more prone to losses.

Operational Efficiency: RAF vs. USAAF

To illustrate the operational efficiency of the RAF, look at the De Havilland Mosquito, a two-engine light bomber made of wood. Despite its compact size, the Mosquito was capable of bearing a 4,000-pound bomb and returning to England to be refueled and loaded with another 4,000-pound bomb for another trip to Berlin in the same night, often with a second crew. In contrast, the B-17s of the 384th Bomb Group began their operations at 07:00 hrs, only to form up over March Cambridgeshire at 08:37 hrs, nearly 1.75 hours after the first take-off. They then met over Cromer, Norfolk, at 09:30 hrs, still over England, which took almost 2 hours of burning fuel before they crossed into enemy territory.

By comparison, an RAF squadron would take off at a set time, go to a waypoint, and head straight to Germany at a set height and speed in a stream at night, often without seeing another friendly aircraft unless illuminated by fires over the target. This highlights the efficiency and organizational superiority of the RAF in terms of nighttime bombing raids, which allowed them to maximize the impact of their missions without the need for complex formations or extended flight times.

Conclusion

In summary, while the RAF dropped more bombs overall, both air forces played crucial roles in the Allied bombing strategy against Germany. The RAF's precision nighttime raids and the USAAF's daylight precision strikes combined to bring significant pressure on the German war economy and infrastructure.