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"It has been well-said that coomanders who cvannot sleep do not last. Harruis and I managed to sleep with very few exceptions because we knew very well that before araid eent off everything possible had been done to ensure its success. Er could do no more. And in fact the less wse fussedand bothered the people, the better."
--Air Marshall Sir Robert Saundby, RAF Bomber Command.
German air defenses were strong and growing in 1942. As Britain itensified bombing raids, Luftwaffe strength was shited back from the East. Anti-air craft batteries were extensive and growing. Artillery and amunition was diverted from the East to defend Reich cities. The Luftwaffe was also improving its night fighter operations. AA guns were a valuble defense, but it was fighters that brought down the gratest toll of bombers. The Luftaffe switched from Me-109s to the 10s and their radar operations increased in effeciness. At first the night gave RAF bombers cover, but by 1942 the Germans were increasing the toll of British bombrs and crews. The Germans would have over 500 night fighter pilots. Bomber Command lost 9,500 men in 1942, approaching double the 1941 losses of 5,400. 【rafinfo.org】 The heaviest losses, however. would be in 1943 and 44 when Bomber Command increased its roster of Lancasters and other heavy bombers and expanded bombing operations into the Reich. We have been looking for bomber loss data, but so far have been unable to find any. American losses were not yet sigbificant because the Eigth Air Force did not begin raids into the Reich until 1943. Luftwaffe ace Gen. Adolf Gulland was appointed to oversee Luftwaffe figher defenses (November 1941). He soon found that Hitler's heart was not in defending Reich cities. He refused to visit bombed cities. They were a sign of failure. His heart was only in the attack. Thus Galland never got the support he needed. This came to a head when the development of the the Me-262 made a jet fighter pratical. The first fight occured (July 1942). Galland saw it as a god send to attack American bomber formations which he wulf have to fce in 1943. Hitler , hoever, insisted it be developed as a bomber. This delayed its producion and insured that when it did arrive it would be of only marginal importance.
rafinfo.org. RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War.
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