Operation Bodenplatte

Bug_racer · Nov 4, 2009

I hope this hasnt been posted before (did a quick search)
Im curious to find out a little more about this last attack by the Luftwaffe . What planes did they use , any experimental aircraft used ? Any rockets used ? How did individual Luftwaffe pilots go ?

B-17engineer · Nov 4, 2009

From Wiki:

"The plan of Operation Baseplate called for a surprise attack against 17 Allied air bases in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. The object was to destroy or cripple as many Allied planes, hangars and airstrips as possible. Every fighter and fighter-bomber unit currently occupied with air defence along the Western Front was deployed, and additional units of Junkers Ju 88 and Junkers Ju 188 night-fighters and bombers acted as pathfinders. The strike planes themselves were mostly single-engined Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf 190 fighters. It was hoped that the speed with which the attack could be carried out would offset the relatively small bomb loads such aircraft could carry. It was also hoped that by flying low and fast to the targets maximum surprise would be achieved. The attack was timed to be carried out at 0920 hours."

Wayne Little · Nov 4, 2009

You really need to get a copy of Bodenplatte by John Manhro and Ron Putz...tell you ALL you need to know.

piet · Nov 4, 2009

Unternehmen Bodenplatte - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ISBN 1 902109 406
HIKOKI PUBLICATIONS LIMITED

ITS A GREAT READ
PIET

comiso90 · Nov 4, 2009

Wayne Little said:
You really need to get a copy of Bodenplatte by John Manhro and Ron Putz...tell you ALL you need to know.

Aside from telling everything you need to know... is it a good read?

Colin1 · Nov 4, 2009

comiso90 said:
Aside from telling everything you need to know... is it a good read?

If it tells you everything you need to know... is that not one definition of a good read?

comiso90 · Nov 4, 2009

Colin1 said:
If it tells you everything you need to know... is that not one definition of a good read?

Sure its one definition but it doesnt automatically make the book worth reading.

There is a scholarly approach and there is a recreational approach.

For example I'd give Iron Coffins a "10" for painting a vivid picture of life inside a uboat

I'd give the same book a 6 for readability. It's often repetitive and boring (just like life inside a uboat) although I recommend reading the book, I dont consider the book a good read.

.

Njaco · Nov 4, 2009

There was a thread somewhere about this awhile ago.

Another book, which I can't verify its accuracy, is "To Win The Winter Sky" by Dan Parker. Gives a good account of the airwar from the Battle of the Bulge up to Bodenplatte.

Vassili Zaitzev · Nov 4, 2009

I get what your saying. I enjoy a book that not only is accurate, but engaging too.

Maximowitz · Nov 4, 2009

It's a truly brilliant book, probably definitive. And a damn good read.

The word "essential" springs to mind.

comiso90 · Nov 4, 2009

Maximowitz said:
It's a truly brilliant book, probably definitive. And a damn good read.

The word "essential" springs to mind.

Good to know... i'll add it to my list...

The title is easy to remember too!

.

Erich · Nov 4, 2009

get the book it is the ONLY book you need for Bodenplatte. win the winter sky I would go hide that title personally though it is nice as he has put in much info on the 9th AF that is only found in individual unit histories. his basis for the German side doe have errors and parker admitted that he took all his German basis from a certain work as fact............ah no

mike siggins · Nov 4, 2009

it was there last breath

Erich · Nov 4, 2009

no it wasn't ............

Vassili Zaitzev · Nov 4, 2009

mike siggins said:
it was there last breath

? The Luftwaffe still had some fight, ever after Bodenplatte.

Vincenzo · Nov 4, 2009

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/operation-bodenplatte-how-would-you-do-17153.html
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/64th-anniversary-operation-bodenplatte-16205.html

Erich · Nov 4, 2009

I still go by my thoughts on the second link posted, one of the stupidest ideas that the LW hierarchy ever came up with ....

no gain but alot of pain needlessly

Colin1 · Nov 4, 2009

Erich said:
I still go by my thoughts on the second link posted, one of the stupidest ideas that the LW hierarchy ever came up with ....

no gain but alot of pain needlessly

How do you think the plan in its original form would have panned out, Erich?
The 8th AF vs 3,000'ish Luftwaffe fighters...

Erich · Nov 4, 2009

it was senseless even the big LW boyz were not in agreement with the overall first plan to attack US heavies en-masse, the thought of carrying out an early morn daylight raid over snow covered hills/trees with even with Ju 88G nf crews was not too bright. nearly all the JG's and the Ju 88G pathfinders got lost nothing was recognizeable.

personally I would of pitted every single LW night figher on the northern coast and hit every conceivable RAF/US airfield at night and then repeated the raid numerous times instead of waiting till march of 45 with a small inkling of 100 nf's and then downsizing on 3 more occasions with 18 a/c then 4, etc. pointless to the extreme

the worst case of course was the broadcasting of the intentions of the LW high class over the sound waves easily picked up by Allied intel

the LW techies really should of been on the ball getting ground to air rockets in the works

Njaco · Nov 4, 2009

Erich said:
it was senseless even the big LW boyz were not in agreement with the overall first plan to attack US heavies en-masse, the thought of carrying out an early morn daylight raid over snow covered hills/trees with even with Ju 88G nf crews was not too bright. nearly all the JG's and the Ju 88G pathfinders got lost nothing was recognizeable.

personally I would of pitted every single LW night figher on the northern coast and hit every conceivable RAF/US airfield at night and then repeated the raid numerous times instead of waiting till march of 45 with a small inkling of 100 nf's and then downsizing on 3 more occasions with 18 a/c then 4, etc. pointless to the extreme

the worst case of course was the broadcasting of the intentions of the LW high class over the sound waves easily picked up by Allied intel

the LW techies really should of been on the ball getting ground to air rockets in the works

I've been thinking the exact same thing lately - an enmass Intruder mission.

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