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  • Gliders and Paratroops

    The invasion of France on June 6, 1944, began from the air. Huge skytrains of transports and gliders carried more than 17,000 men across the English Channel between midnight and dawn. Low clouds and fog over the Cherbourg Peninsula made aerial navigation difficult, and even trained pathfinders had

  • D-Day

    The first Allied amphibious troops hit the beaches of Normandy at 6:30 a.m. on June 6, 1944. Constant air cover was flown over the vast sea armada and the assault beaches, and only three Luftwaffe airplanes were sighted the first day. For the next several weeks while the Allies strengthened

  • Invasion Nears

    In preparation for the invasion of France from the sea, the AAF had to photograph the entire coastline of western Europe. As the date of the invasion approached, however, it was necessary to obtain more detailed photographs of specific German beach defenses, and between May 1 and June 6, hundreds of

  • Roads, Rails and Bridges

    For the next two months, AAF heavy bombers from England and Italy struck repeatedly at strategic targets deep in enemy territory. In addition, Italian-based fighters and bombers attacked shipping, railroads and highways to paralyze the German transportation network, thereby easing the task of Allied

  • Fighters and Flak

    Bombing operations in March 1944 marked another turning point in the air war over Europe, for the Luftwaffe lost the advantage it had maintained so successfully since the fall of 1943. It still retained the capability for striking back at AAF bomber formations in force but was able to do so only

  • Target Berlin

    Berlin, the capital of Germany, was selected as a prime target for the AAF, not only for its industrial importance, but because it was believed the Luftwaffe would react in force to defend it, suffering heavy losses in the process. The first attack was made on March 4, 1944, but only 29 bombers

  • Feb. 20-25, 1944: "The Big Week"

    During "The Big Week," 3,300 bombers were dispatched from England and 500 from Italy, with 137 of the former and 89 of the latter being lost. Also, 28 AAF fighters were shot down by the enemy (by both flak and interceptors) in desperate defense of the hinterland.The number of U.S. personnel killed,

  • Industry Crippled

    In January 1944 the AAF was ready to begin its onslaught to destroy the German aircraft industry, thereby paving the way for later bombings of other strategic targets without suffering heavy losses to Luftwaffe interceptors.Poor weather in England prevented concentrated operations until Feb. 20,

  • Escort from Italy

    After the Allies had consolidated their battle lines across southern Italy, both heavy and medium bombers, along with light bombers and fighters, continued to attack tactical targets. In addition, the heavy bombers were able to continue strikes against strategic targets in the Balkans, northern

  • Italy Invaded

    While the AAF was bombing Germany from England, the Allies invaded Italy. The AAF and RAF hammered airfields, bridges, railroad yards and sea ports through Sept. 2 to weaken the enemy. In the process, Axis air forces in southern Italy were significantly reduced. The first landing was made on the toe