2nd TAF statistics and history

[Jabberwocky]

Does anyone have any operational statistics on the 2nd TAF's operations in Europe in 1943-1945?

Specifically, I'm interested in fighter bomber operations and a break down of sorties flown by type, as well as ammunition (bombs, rockets and cannon/mg rounds expended).

If not, does anyone have any recommendations about good histories, official or otherwise, for the 2TAF. I know of the Shores/Thomas multi-volume history, but I don't have $500 to pick them up (even second hand).

Is there an official history?

 

[stona]

Not specifically a book about the 2nd TAF,but a lot of what you are after will be found or referenced in it,is this book.

Air Power at the Battlefront:Allied Close Air Support in Europe, 1943-45

By Ian Gooderson.

Cheers
Steve

 

[nuuumannn]

Is there an official history?

I think the Shores/Thomas multi volume history is it. There has been a biography of Arthur "Mary" Coningham as well, by Vincent Orange, I think. You could take the easy way out and contact the RAF Museum and get them to do the leg work for you.

 

[Glider]

From the Shores set of books there is some information on the ammunition used but the figs are from June 1944 to the end of the war.

Rockets
210,028 fired of which 201,031 had 60lb SAP/HE warheads, 8,812 had 60lb HE 'F' heads and 185 were 30lb bomb 'U'

20mm
13,500,000 rounds fired stoppage rate was 1 per 1,562 rds fired and about 50% were due to feed problems not gun problems

0.50
2,800,000 rounds fired stoppage rate was 1 per 3,400 rds fired

There is a lot of detail about the bombs but not a lot on the amount used apart, from a number of different ways of saying 'LOTS'

 

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks for that Glider.

USAAF ETO stoppage rates over the first 8 months of 1944 were 1 in 505 for the AN/M-2 Hispano and 1 in 1442 for the M2 Browning - quite a difference. By the end of the year, stoppage rates were better, but still not quite as good as the RAF. P-38's nose mounts were notably less prone to stoppages than the wing mounts in the P-51/P-47.