Erich Alfred Hartmann (19 April 1922 – 20 September 1993) was a German fighter pilot during World War II and the most successful fighter ace in the history of fighter ace. He flew 1,404 combat missions and participated in aerial combat on 825 separate occasions.
How many missions did ww2 bomber crews fly?
In 1942, during the first three months of America’s combat flights over Europe the average bomber crew was expected to complete 8-12 missions before being shot down or disabled.
Who shot down the most aircraft in ww2?
While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills. How did Hartmann get so good at dominating the skies over the Eastern Front?
How many missions did B-17 crews fly?
Hell’s Angels B-17 Crew
The first heavy bomber to complete 25 combat missions in the European Theater, May 13th, 1942. After completing 25 missions, Hell’s Angels remained in theater until 1944 and flew a total of 48 missions without any injured crewmen or abort.
How often did bomber crews fly in ww2?
Aircrew were first committed to a tour of thirty operational flights, not exceeding 200 actual flying hours, which could last for any period from four months to a year. Pathfinder crews flew forty-five. A six-month break – usually spent as instructors with training units – was followed by a second and final tour.
Which Lancaster flew the most missions?
Lancaster 642 was the aircraft in which he flew most of his missions. One evening in March 1945, he and his crew were due to fly but his navigator called in sick and rather than split the crew, they were stood down and another crew took 642.
Which ww2 bomber dropped the most bombs?
Developed by the Boeing Company in the 1930s, the B-17 was a four‑engine heavy bomber aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. It was a very effective weapons system, dropping more bombs during the war than any other American aircraft.
What was the toughest bomber in ww2?
The heaviest bomber of World War II was the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which entered service in 1944 with a fully pressurized crew compartment (previously used only on experimental aircraft) and as many as 12 . 50-inch machine guns mounted in pairs in remotely-controlled turrets.
Which B-17 flew the most missions?
Nine-O-Nine was a Boeing B-17G-30-BO Flying Fortress heavy bomber, of the 323rd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, that completed 140 combat missions during World War II, believed to be the Eighth Air Force record for most missions, without loss to the crews that flew her.
Who lost the most tanks in ww2?
Soviet
Land
| 1941 | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Production ratio(2) (German:Soviet) | 1:2 | 1:3.2 |
| Soviet Tank losses | 20,500 | 83,500 |
| German Tank losses | 2,758 | 25,584 |
| Tank exchange ratio(2) (German:Soviet) | 1:7 | 1:4 |
Who was the best pilot in ww2?
Known as the “Ace of Aces” for his rank as the top American flying ace during World War II, Major Richard Ira Bong is credited with the downing of an impressive confirmed total of 40 enemy aircraft over the course of his career as a fighter pilot.
Who had the largest air force in ww2?
How The Luftwaffe Fought The Battle Of Britain
- In 1940, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) was the largest and most formidable air force in Europe.
- Three air fleets – Luftflotten 2, 3 and 5 – were deployed to face RAF Fighter Command from across the English Channel and the North Sea.
How many B 24s were shot down?
Flak varied from light to heavy and was, especially heavy over the city and very accurate. During the attack on Hamm, three B-24’s were shot down, and, for most of the crews, it was their last flight, because this would have been their thirtieth flight, earning them a return to the US.
What plane shot down the most planes in ww2?
It is accurate to state that the P-38 did shoot down more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF plane with 1,857, with the P-40 running a close second at 1,633.5.
How many B-17 bombers did we lose in WWII?
4,735
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engine heavy bomber used by the United States Army Air Forces and other Allied air forces during World War II. Of the 12,731 aircraft built, approximately 4,735 were lost during the War.
What was the life expectancy of a WW2 pilot?
The average life expectancy of a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain was just four weeks. Despite this alarming figure, aspiring fighter pilots continued to join the RAF throughout the conflict, supporting the efforts of ground troops and defending their country.
What was the average age of a WWII bomber pilot?
The majority of RAF Bomber Command aircrew were aged 19 through to their mid-twenties although younger and considerably older airmen have been identified. The average age is stated to have been 21.
What was the longest air raid in WW2?
The Battle of Hamburg, codenamed Operation Gomorrah, was a campaign of air raids which began on 24 July 1943 and lasted for 8 days and 7 nights. It was at the time the heaviest assault in the history of aerial warfare and was later called the Hiroshima of Germany by British officials.
Which was better b24 or Lancaster?
Offensive Armament
Being able to get to the target is meaningless unless a bomber can carry enough bombs to do damage there. While the B-24 had a better capacity than its competitor, the Lancaster far outshone them both. At maximum bomb load, the B-24 could carry 8000 lbs of ordinance, split between the two bomb bays.
Was the B-17 bigger than the Lancaster?
The two aircraft were similar in size and capacity but had completely different missions and technical origins, and were the outcomes of completely different military doctrines. As such the Fortress and Lancaster were highly complementary.
How many Lancaster bombers lost in WW2?
3,736
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engine heavy bomber used by the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces during World War II. Of the 7,377 aircraft built, 3,736 were lost during the War (3,249 in action and 487 in ground accidents).