Ralzakark
Posts: 88
Joined: 4/24/2012
Status: offline
|
Most Luftwaffe units had withdrawn from the coast to avoid the pounding the airfields there received before the invasion, but the Luftwaffe rapidly transferred units in to contest the Normandy beachheads and there was some fierce fighting, probably more than most people realise. But the Allies had massive numerical superiority and ground them down very quickly.
Cornelius Ryan’s book The Longest Day has given rise to the myth that only Pips Priller and his wingman were present on D Day, but the Luftwaffe also committed Fw 190s from 3./SKG 10 and various elements of JG 2 as well as Ju 88s from ZG 1.
To give an example of how intense the air action became, on 7 June alone the Allies lost 18 Spitfires/Seafires, 12 Typhoons, 6 Mustang IIIs, 30 P-47s, 13 P-51s and a P-38 (many to flak). The Luftwaffe recorded the loss of 54 fighters alone.
Information from Chris Shores three volumes which cover the RAF’s 2nd Tactical Air Force on a day by day basis and lists losses and air combat claims.
|
Printable Version
Luftwaffe 1944... - 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread