Best Air Force 1943-1945

[parsifal]

Thanks for clarifying the source. I dont think what you and i are saying is that different, its just that i wanted to make clear that the BCATP was not the only source of fully trained aircrews available to the British Commonwealth Air Forces. My estimate of 200000 aircrew is not really in conflict with your number of 131000, because the 131000 is a fraction of the larger number....

 

[Readie]

While the USAAF was not #1 in everything, it was at the top in most. And even where it was lacking, it was still good enough to be near the top.

The USAAF had the resources to build what it wanted, in any quantity, and piloted and maintained by competent crews.

The RAF never had that capability. A very fine organization. But putting out a few great aircraft types manned by a limited number of superb crews, doesn't hold up to the shear industrial and organizational powers the US had at its disposal.

Very good syscom3 and thank for posting it.
Of course the RAF could never be as big as the USAAF but, we made a few things our own like Dam Busters etc.
Cheers
John

 

[MaximusGR]

The best air force is without question the USAAF both because of the huge resources in man power and materials, but also because of the effectibe strategies developed and applied in cutting off supplies, weakening the Luftwaffe and destroying German infrastructure.

Voted Luftwaffe myself because the use of jet aircraft, stand off weapons(V-1 and V-2) and guided A2A and A2G weapons paved the way for future conflicts. something like an "a for effort" i guess

RAF played an important part throughout the period discussed, the size of it compared to USAAF was rather small but at the same time the Brits had the flexibility to adapt to special needs, like the destruction of dams, dealing with battleships, night bombing, etc.. Aircraft like the Tempest, the Mosquito and late Spitfires were among the best of the war, so credit for that as well

My picture of VVS is rather unclear as i havent got the sources to examine its effectiveness, if any other member has knowledge of soviet air tactics and doctrines i d be more than happy to get a picture

 

[Readie]

Hi Max,
The biggest is not always best and just size doesn't make the USAAF the best. Look at sheer ingenuity and use of a smaller resource and you'll get a different answer.
Cheers
John

 

[drgondog]

Hi Max,
The biggest is not always best and just size doesn't make the USAAF the best. Look at sheer ingenuity and use of a smaller resource and you'll get a different answer.
Cheers
John

John - the US wasn't 'just the biggest'. It was simply the only Air Power that could go any place in the world (simultaneously)and deliver integrated Logistic, Tactical, and Strategic land based airpower as well as gobal sea based airpower - in overwhelming numbers and qualitative capability to any adversary.

The RAF and LW and VVS had niche superiority for some possible missions - unquestioned.

For the simplest of examples, while the RAF certainly had equivalency in Strategic capability in the ETO and MTO through 1944, where was it in comparable strength in the Far East? What was the delivery capacity of the RAF (absent US aircraft) to provide logistics support to bases loacated away from England? What distribution of airpower assets from GB occurred in the Pacific Theatre, or compare delivery of all aircraft types to the Soviets and Chinese and Commonwealth by the US.

The short answer is that natural resources, financial resources, skilled labor, manufacturing processes and floor space and tooling plus pilot/crew training capacity - combined with a full range of 'nearly the same to clearly better' products capable of attacking and supporting attacks on the Axis - directly or via proxy - anywhere in the world is what made US Airpower 'the most powerful'. If you wish to make your case that 'best' is not analogous to 'most powerful', explain away..

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

John - the US wasn't 'just the biggest'. It was simply the only Air Power that could go any place in the world (simultaneously)and deliver integrated Logistic, Tactical, and Strategic land based airpower as well as gobal sea based airpower - in overwhelming numbers and qualitative capability to any adversary.

Beat me to the punch.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Well put.

 

[Readie]

John - the US wasn't 'just the biggest'. It was simply the only Air Power that could go any place in the world (simultaneously)and deliver integrated Logistic, Tactical, and Strategic land based airpower as well as gobal sea based airpower - in overwhelming numbers and qualitative capability to any adversary.

The RAF and LW and VVS had niche superiority for some possible missions - unquestioned.

For the simplest of examples, while the RAF certainly had equivalency in Strategic capability in the ETO and MTO through 1944, where was it in comparable strength in the Far East? What was the delivery capacity of the RAF (absent US aircraft) to provide logistics support to bases loacated away from England? What distribution of airpower assets from GB occurred in the Pacific Theatre, or compare delivery of all aircraft types to the Soviets and Chinese and Commonwealth by the US.

The short answer is that natural resources, financial resources, skilled labor, manufacturing processes and floor space and tooling plus pilot/crew training capacity - combined with a full range of 'nearly the same to clearly better' products capable of attacking and supporting attacks on the Axis - directly or via proxy - anywhere in the world is what made US Airpower 'the most powerful'. If you wish to make your case that 'best' is not analogous to 'most powerful', explain away..

Well put and I accept your points about the power of the USAAF.
Anyone who knows anything about WW2 would have to concede.
Maybe the word 'best' is not the most appropriate word for this thread.
I am immensely proud of the niche specialism that the RAF achieved and of the aircraft used.
Sometimes that can colour a chaps judgement a tad
Cheers
John

 

[parsifal]

You are doing okay readie, dont bust your chops. These rebs need to be kept in line by someone after all

 

[drgondog]

Well put and I accept your points about the power of the USAAF.
Anyone who knows anything about WW2 would have to concede.
Maybe the word 'best' is not the most appropriate word for this thread.
I am immensely proud of the niche specialism that the RAF achieved and of the aircraft used.
Sometimes that can colour a chaps judgement a tad
Cheers
John

I respect the RAF (and the Fleet) tremendously as you do. Defeating the Axis during WWII required all the Allies could bring to bear.

Please do not take my remarks as an example of being a 'homer'. I believ I am being objective in my remarks

Bill

 

[Readie]

I respect the RAF (and the Fleet) tremendously as you do. Defeating the Axis during WWII required all the Allies could bring to bear.

Please do not take my remarks as an example of being a 'homer'. I believ I am being objective in my remarks

Bill

Bill, I never thought of you as Homer. Quite the opposite, I respect your views as they balanced informative.
Cheers
John

 

[Sagittario64]

The ANR had some pretty good success for their time. plus they were modernly equipped with C.205s, G.55s, Re.2005s, Bf.109(Gs and Ks), and some Do.217 night-fighters(quite unsuccessful though). for 1944, i think the ANR at least deserves a spot on the poll, in addition to the Bulgarian air force, the Hungarian air force, and the Romanian air force. so many times i see polls without these german allies in them