Americans
make the first bombing raid against Germany.
65 bomber planes from the 8th
Air Force departed from their England base. 53 planes made it to the
destination where 22 German planes were shot down. Americans only lost 3 planes in return.
The 8th Air Force became famous for
their precision bombing raids, often called “the greatest air armada in history.”
The nickname seems to be well deserved.
“The
Eighth’s personnel also earned 17 Medals of Honor, 220 Distinguished Service
Crosses, 850 Silver Stars, 7,000 Purple Hearts, 46,000 Air Medals. Many more
uncounted awards were presented to the 8th AF veterans after the war. There
were 261 fighter aces and 305 gunner aces in the Eighth in World War II; 31 of
those fighter aces exceeded 15 or more aircraft kills.” (all quotes source:
mightyeighth.org)
A museum to commemorate the MIghty Eighth is located in Savannah Georgia.
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