Case Studies in the Achievement of Air Superiority - Air Force ...

AIR SUPERIORITY
TABLE 2-2
German Air Strength: July 20,1940
Second and Third
Fifth
Air Forces Air Force Luftwaffe
Aircraft Strength In commission Strength In commission Strength In commission
WLpe tNI (%) (N) (%) (N) (%)
Long-Range 1,131 769 68% 129 95 74% 1.401 903 64%
Bombers
DiveBombers 316 248 449 332 74
Single-Engine 809 656 81 84 69 82 1,060 865 82
Fighters
Tivin-Engine 246 168 68 34 32 94 398 293 74
Fighters
Long-Range 67 48 72 48 33 69 280 189 74
Recce
Short-Range 9 0 ? 250 178 71
Recce
--- -- - ---
Total 2,659 1,889 74%* 295 229 78%* 3.838 2.750 72%
*Includes only those aircraft categories for which in commission numbers are available.
Source: Table 2-2 represents a compendium of Luftwaffe strengths from Air Ministry, The Rise and Fall
ofthe German Air Force, 1933-1945, p.76, “Luftwaffe Strength and Serviceability Tables, August 1938-
April 1945,” Air Historical Branch, Translation No. VII1107; and Francis I. Mason, Battle over Britain
(London, 1968). p. 186
trol. A short paragraph dismissed Fighter Command’s ability to control its
units effectively: “The Command at high level is inflexible in its organization
and strategy. As formations are rigidly attached to their home bases,
command at medium level suffers mainly from operations being controlled
in most cases by officers no longer accustomed to flying. . . . Command at
low level is generally energetic but lacks tactical skill.”’0s Finally, Schmid
never mentioned the British radar system and its implications for the
attacking German forces. The intelligence estimate ended in the confident
assertion that
the Luftwaffe is clearly superior to the RAF as regards strength, equipment, training,
command and location of bases. In the event of an intensification of air warfare
the Luftwaffe, unlike the RAE will be in a position in every respect to achieve a
decisive effect this year if the time for the start of large scale operations is set early
enough to allow advantage to be taken of the months with relatively favorable
weather conditions (July to the beginning of October).’@6
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