Why was Wurzburg bombed?

Why was Wurzburg bombed?

Operation on March 16, 1945. The decision to bomb the town was made by RAF Bomber Command in High Wycombe, due to favorable weather conditions predicted for the sixteenth of March. The target had been relatively undamaged and was on the way to other targets including Nuremberg.

What was the German target on August 17 1942?

The mission was an ambitious plan to cripple the German aircraft industry; it was also known as the “double-strike mission” because it entailed two large forces of bombers attacking separate targets in order to disperse fighter reaction by the Luftwaffe….Schweinfurt–Regensburg mission.

What was Black Thursday ww2?

The second Schweinfurt raid, also called Black Thursday, was a World War II air battle that took place on 14 October 1943, over Nazi Germany between forces of the United States 8th Air Force and German Luftwaffe fighter arm (Jagdwaffe).

Why does the United States decide to bomb Germany during the day?

German Air production kept on rising during this period thus the fear was that the German would produce ever more planes to defend their skies. The Americans decided they would strike deep into Germany and attack a crucial ball bearing factory as well as a Messershmidt plant both deep in Bavaria.

When was Wurzburg bombed?

March 16, 1945
The major raid occurred on March 16, 1945, when Royal Air Force bombers dropped incendiary bombs that set fire to much of the city, killing an estimated 5,000 people and almost completely obliterating the historic town.

When was Wurzburg Germany founded?

Würzburg, city, northwestern Bavaria Land (state), south-central Germany. It lies along and is an inland port of the canalized Main River, about 60 miles (100 km) southeast of Frankfurt am Main. The site of a Celtic settlement, it was first mentioned as Virteburch in 704. A bishopric was established there by St.

How many B-17 bombers were lost in ww2?

4,735
Between 1935 and May 1945, 12,732 B-17s were produced. Of these aircraft, 4,735 were lost during combat missions. At one time, more than 1,000 B-17s could be assembled for mass combat missions. Today, fewer than 100 B-17 airframes exist and fewer still are in airworthy condition.

How many B-17 were lost over Germany?

During the night, the 73 B-17s at Poltava were attacked for 2 hours by an estimated 75 German bombers led by aircraft dropping flares. 47 B-17s were destroyed and most of the rest were severely damaged….B-17 Flying Fortress.

How many B-17 were shot down over Germany?

Of the 291 attacking Fortresses, 60 were shot down over Germany, five crashed on approach to Britain, and 12 more were scrapped due to damage – a loss of 77 B-17s. Additionally, 122 bombers were damaged and needed repairs before their next flights.