German answer to the WAllies introducing the P-47 + DTs and Mustang Mk.X in June of 1943?

[tomo pauk]

The P-47s in question carry the 108/110 drop tank under the belly, while the Mustang X has the original 180 gals of fuel internally + two British 54 US gal (45 imp gal; the type used sometimes on Hurricanes) tanks under the wings. The two Allied fighters can reach to about Hamburg or Frankfurt, and there are hundreds of these fighters in service; there is a supply of the drop tanks to support this. They give the LW defenders a proper mauling during already before the summer is over, and the things can only get worse for the LW, as well as the ones on the receiving end of the Allied bombing. Germans don't know when the long-range Spitfires will be also included - IOW, expect the worst case scenario there, too.

This is where the German answer starts, 1st tossing the ideas around, and then making the actual hardware (aircraft & the supporting bits & pieces; the Flak development can get another thread).

Note that this thread is not about what RAF aircraft gets the cameras, nor what gets sent to Russia.

 

[z42]

So you're sort of saying what if "big week" happens some 7 months earlier than historically?

What CAN they do, at short notice, beyond running in circles in a panic? Maybe not that much?

Avoid getting into high altitude fights with the Allied fighters? Yes, this would mean high altitude strategic bombing would face no fighter opposition as long as they are within escort range?

 

[tomo pauk]

So you're sort of saying what if "big week" happens some 7 months earlier than historically?

Not that it just happens, but keeps happening

What CAN they do, at short notice, beyond running in circles in a panic? Maybe not that much?

Not just on the short notice. While some plans can be put into the motion in a short time, some will need to wait into 1944 to materialize.