I must say that I am getting very tied of the constant claims on other Forums of how the ‘Mighty 8th’ was responsible for the destruction of the Luftwaffe.
Never mind that Britain and her allies had been fighting the Luftwaffe (and Regia Aeronautica) since 1939. From Norway to Africa. Never mind that the RAF had convincingly defeated the Luftwaffe in the BoB. Never mind that the Desert Air Force had fought and gained air superiority over both the Luftwaffe and the RA and, along with the 8th Army, were pushing the Axis back from El Alamein when the US had their soft landing in Algeria Never mind that the Soviets had been caught in a death struggle with the Luftwaffe from June of 1941 and that the VVS, despite incredible losses, managed to regain air supremacy from late 1942 onwards.
Never mind that the RAF continued to fight the Luftwaffe throughout the period 1943-1945 in Europe. Which many historians of US persuasion seem to think that only the USAAF had any effect in that Theatre.
It is so sickening.
But in many ways understandable. Where are the RAF claims for pre-eminence? Where are the claims and statistics for it’s effort in the downfall of the Luftwaffe? Especially in all the theatres and actions that lead to the Luftwaffe getting weaker and weaker so that by 1944 it was a shadow of it’s former self?
The achievement of the 8th over Europe is quite magnificient. And should be recognised as such. But it was only part of a ongoing greater battle – not the sole be all and end all of the Luftwaffe.
By: crazymainer - 7th June 2004 at 05:32
Dan,
Jere Here, this is just a real Stupid thread that should 1 Never been sugest 2 Should be discounted
Cheers CrazyMainer
By: Dan Johnson - 7th June 2004 at 05:30
I agree with Paul Rix and with Crazymainer. This is about as silly a thread as the “Greatest WWII Fighter” thread I so foolishly resurrected from the strange half-life old threads retire to. And here we all are remembering D-Day, a moment in history that enacapsulates the Allied effort in opening up a second (land) front and thereby supporting Russia’s hard yards in the East. Get a grip folks.
Apparently I wasn’t very clear 🙂
My point was it isn’t worth the time nor the effort.
Dan
By: Smith - 7th June 2004 at 03:54
I agree with Paul Rix and with Crazymainer. This is about as silly a thread as the “Greatest WWII Fighter” thread I so foolishly resurrected from the strange half-life old threads retire to. And here we all are remembering D-Day, a moment in history that enacapsulates the Allied effort in opening up a second (land) front and thereby supporting Russia’s hard yards in the East. Get a grip folks.
By: crazymainer - 7th June 2004 at 02:59
Hey Guys,
Do you really want to start this thread if so then I’ll be more than happy to point out all sorts of stuff. But before we start this WAR I’ll give you a chance to call it off.
By: Dan Johnson - 7th June 2004 at 02:57
My suggestion is that if you know the claim is garbage, don’t let it get to you. You can find all kinds of Luftwaffe fanatics who will til their dying day claim that the Luftwaffe didn’t lose too.
Their are ‘stat whores’ all over the place that live and die by some number they find to justify their position.
Secrets out. The Allies won the war. Key word “Allies” It was in all the papers 🙂
Dan
By: Paul Rix - 7th June 2004 at 02:36
I doubt you will find anyone here that disagrees with you on the fact that the Air War was utimately won by the contributions of many nations (in fact the whole war). I strongly believe that if the United States had not entered the war then the UK would have held on to it’s freedom. The English Channel is a wonderful thing (pity we built a tunnel under it). However, I don’t think that we would have had the manpower or industrial might to invade “Fortress Europe” without the full support and commitment of forces by the United States. The map of Europe would look very different today.
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June 7, 2004 at 1:43 am