“Big Week” 1944

Operation Argument and the breaking of the Jagdwaffe

“Big Week” 1944 cover

“Big Week” 1944

Operation Argument and the breaking of the Jagdwaffe

Description

A rigorous new analysis of America's legendary 'Big Week' air campaign which enabled the Allies to gain air superiority before D-Day.

The USAAF's mighty World War II bomber forces were designed for unescorted, precision daylight bombing, but no-one foresaw the devastation that German radar-directed interceptors would inflict on them. Following the failures of 1943's Schweinfurt-Regensburg raids, and with D-Day looming, the Allies urgently needed to crush the Luftwaffe's ability to oppose the landings.

In February 1944, the Allies conceived and fought history's first-ever successful offensive counter­air (OCA) campaign, Operation Argument or “Big Week.” Attacking German aircraft factories with hundreds of heavy bombers, escorted by the new long-range P-51 Mustang, it aimed both to slash aircraft production and force the Luftwaffe into combat, allowing the new Mustangs to take their toll on the German interceptors. This expertly written, illustration-packed account explains how the Allies finally began to win air superiority over Europe, and how Operation Argument marked the beginning of the Luftwaffe's fall.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
CHRONOLOGY
ATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES
-The Pointblank Directive
-Aircraft: their capabilities, roles, and missions
-Commanders
ORDERS OF BATTLE, February 1944
DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES
-The Luftwaffe's air defence system
-Aircraft: their capabilities, roles, and missions
-Commanders
CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES
-“Black Week” – the crisis of American daylight strategic
bombing
-The Luftwaffe's response
-Operation Argument planning
THE CAMPAIGN
-Eighth AF Mission 226, February 20
-Eighth AF Mission 228, February 21
-Eighth AF Mission 230, February 22
-Fifteenth AF Missions, February 22, 23, and 24
-Eighth AF Mission No.233, February 24
-Eighth and Fifteenth AF Missions, February 25
AFTERMATH AND ASSESSMENT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX

Product details

Published 17 Feb 2022
Format Ebook (Epub)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472824523
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with around 60 photos and at least 14pp of colour illustrations
Series Air Campaign
Short code ACM 27
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Douglas C. Dildy

Douglas C. Dildy is a retired US Air Force colonel…

Illustrator

Graham Turner

Graham Turner is a leading historical artist, spec…

Resources

Discover More

Visit our exclusive member's website to see artwork, maps, and more from this book.

Resources

Book Vote

Tell us what titles you would like to see published by Osprey, then vote for your favourites in our monthly book vote!

Related Titles

Sign up for Osprey membership for access to thousands of plane profiles, maps, battle scenes and more. Plus up to 30% off website purchases

Free UK delivery for orders £30 and over