WW2: Why was the 9th Air Force given P51 ins6tead of giving them to the 8th Air Force in 1943? (1 Viewer)

[greatgonzo]

So down to earth iwould be a post war name given to these tactics? It was not like official doctrine ordered by HQ?

 

[Engineman]

The strafing attacks were both random and planned. When escort fighters broke escort (like at limit of range for a Penetration escort, one or more flights might drop to the deck and attack a sighted airfield on the way home.

A pair of fighters chasing a 109 might spot an airfield and shoot it up. Notable was a planned strafing attack b VIII FC on April 5, 1944. The 4th FG destroyed 45 on airfields around Berlin and the 355th destroyed 46 around Munich, including 6 air.

The fighter groups were encouraged to strafe targets of opportunity on the way home after escort.

Hi,
I had the understanding that a large part of the Bomber's problems was being intercepted by the Luftwaffe, particularly on the way back from the target, so it would seem that this was not such a big factor when escort fighters could be released from escort duty to TOO free-range straffe? Or, was it the case that following waves of escorts joined-up and freed the first wave of escorts if; the join-up was successful, the situation was not bad and the relieved escorts were not Bingo on fuel or ammo?
I doubt that the bombers were going to be happy to see all/any of the escorts leave them high and dry over Germany!

Eng