Marshall Michel III Ordre des livres

In 1943, the USAAF and RAF initiated the Combined Bomber Offensive to dismantle the industries supporting the German war effort. Key targets included aircraft factories and ball-bearing plants, deemed critical vulnerabilities. Schweinfurt, a hub for ball-bearing production, and the Messerschmitt factory in Regensburg, known for Bf 109 fighters, were chosen for a significant strike. The operation required precision bombing in daylight, but existing escort fighters could not provide protection, leaving B-17s vulnerable. The plan involved a coordinated 'double-strike', with Regensburg targeted first to divert Luftwaffe fighters, allowing the Schweinfurt bombers to proceed unopposed. After the Regensburg attack, the bombers continued to North Africa, marking the first instance of US 'shuttle bombing'. While the Regensburg mission succeeded, the damage to Schweinfurt only temporarily disrupted production, resulting in heavy losses for the Eighth Air Force. A subsequent raid two months later incurred even greater casualties, highlighting the need for a sustained bombing campaign rather than a single strike to effectively cripple the Schweinfurt operations. This account details the USAAF's daylight bombing strategy in 1943, the technology and tactics employed during the Schweinfurt-Regensburg missions, and how these costly setbacks prompted a strategic shift.