How many "heavies" did VIII Bomber Command average in…

How many "heavies" did VIII Bomber Command average in spring 1943?

Short answer

In April 1943, the Eighth Air Force was still operating with only six heavy groups, giving an average daily fully operational strength of 153 aircraft that month. In February, its average daily combat strength had been just 74 operational combinations, i.e. crews and aircraft.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many "heavies" did VIII Bomber Command average in spring 1943?

Boeing B-17F Flying Fortresses in flight with contrails

A winter at its lowest

During January, February and March 1943, the Eighth Air Force's average combat strength fell below any other point since October 1942. In February it could claim only an average daily combat strength of 74 operational combinations, counted as the combination of combat crew and aircraft. It was not until March that a formation of more than 100 bombers was put in the air with any consistency.

April: six heavy groups

In April, the Eighth Air Force was still operating with only six heavy groups, which provided an average daily fully operational strength of 153 aircraft that month. After that, the operational bomber strength rose to twelve heavy groups, and on 29 May 279 bombers were dispatched against enemy targets.

Submarine bases as targets

Between 23 January and 10 June 1943, the total bomb tonnage dropped by the Eighth Air Force on submarine and naval targets comfortably exceeded 3,800 tons. Of that, around 1,645 tons fell on the operational bases.