Figure 1.--Operation Frantic, a shittle boming effort, was a joint American-Soviet undertaking. While there was some limited success, irs primary historical interest was less the contrubution to the defeat of NAZI Germany than than an early indication of the coming Cold War. The press caption here read, "U.S. oldier Makes Friends with Soviet Boy: In the ruins of a barracks destroyed by the Germans when they evacuated airfields in Russia now used by the mericans, a U.S. soldier offers a stick of chewing gum to a Soviet boy. American and Russian soldiers work side by side at the airbases and accompany each other on missions against the enemy. U.S. aircraft have used the bases in Russia since June 2, 944, when bombers and fighters that flew from Italy attacked German installations in Rumania, and landed at airfieldsin Russia. The new bases put all points in German-held Europe within range of American aircraft." The photograph was dated July 28, 1944.

The Soviet Red Air Force played an imprtant role as a tactical force on the eastern Front. It played a negligible role in the strategic bombing campaign. The American idea of establishing air bases in the Soviet Union to bomb Axis countries began even before the United states entered the War. We are not sure when the comparable idea concerning bases in China arose. Army Air Corps staff studies began after the Germans invaded the Soviet Union (June 1941) aimed at bombing Germany. The concept took on greater urgency after the Japanese launched the Pacific War by attacking Pearl Harbor (December 1941). The idea of bobing Japan from Siberia was very appealing, only the Soviet Union and Japan had a Non-Aggression Pact. As the Americans began arriving in Britain and facing the enormous task of the strategic bombardment of Germany, the issue took on new urgency. The Soviets were unrecetive to American inatives throughout 1942 and most of 1943. It is unclear why this was, but presumably involved the Soviet penchant for secrecy and mistrust of American intentions. This only changed with the Moscow Conference (October 1943). This was an important Allied war conference involving foreign ministers held in Moscow. The American delegation at the Conference raised the issue formally with Foreign Commissar Molotov. This was followed by Tehran Conference (November 1943). President Roosevelt personally proposed the use of Soviet bases by American aircraft to Marshal Stalin. The Presidet's son, Colonel Elliott Roosevelt provided some details. Stalin's views are not know with any surity. But his conspiratorial mindset and lack of resonse to earlier Ameican iniatives suggests that he was suspicious of the offer. The direct proposal from the President, however, could not be ignored given the vast quantities of Lend Lease supplies being delivered. Also given that Stalin was so vociferously complaining about the lack of Allied action in the West, it was additionally difficult to ignore the American air request. The American position papers proposed both reconnaissance and bombing operations. Stalin at Tehran agreed 'in principle' to proceed. The plan was that American bombers stationed in Britain and Italy would fly missions deep into the Reich and occupied territory. They would then land at American air bases set up in liberated Soviet territory. There they would rearm and refuel and attack other NAZI targets on their return flights. It should be understood that at the time of the Tehran Conference, the American Strategic Bombing Campaign was ot going well and the Red Army had only begun to drive the Germans out of their territory. The whole undertaking was named Operation Frantic (originally Operation Baseball). As it was finalized, three heavy bomber groups would be estanlished in Soviet territory. Only a small contingent of some 1,300 Americans was eventually installed in these bases. Frantic was not the major undertaking originally envisioned by the Americams. The collapse of German air power meant that the 8th and 9th Air Forces no longer needed Soviet bases. What took place was a series of seven shuttle bombing operations. They were carried out by American aircraft based in both Britain and Italy. They landed at three Soviet airfields in Ukraine (June-September 1944). The Americans attacked 24 targets in Germany and German-held territory. Some of them previously beyond the range of American territory. Changes on the ground reduced the potential value of Frantic. The shuttle bombing tactic created some problems for German air defenses, but by the time that Frantic operations actually began, all targets in the Reich had already come within reach od bomber groups in Britain and Italy. And Soviet vetoing of some targets prevented attacks on important bases. Frantic operationd were reduced and finally discontinued. Several factors wre involved. First, the Luftwaffe began attacking the German bases (June 1944). Second, lack of Soviet cooperation and even hostility as the Polish issue flared. Third, Soviet refusal to allow the americans to use the bases for support the Warsaw Uprising (August 1944). Frantic was impaired by the inadequate force protection provided by the Soviets. The Soviets even refused requests to bring in radar-guided artillery and night fighter support. And American aircraft were sometimes fired upon by Soviet units think they were German aircraft. Operations were reduced to a 'skeleton' force of a winter contingent at Poltava of only 300 men. The Americans remained there until flown out after VE-day.

Created: 1:56 AM 12/16/2016
Last updated: 1:56 AM 12/16/2016